KYIV, Ukraine — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made an unannounced visit to Ukraine’s capital on Thursday, where he committed to a century-long partnership aimed at enhancing the country’s security, just days before Donald Trump is set to take office as U.S. president. The British government has announced that Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will formalize a “100-Year Partnership” treaty in Kyiv, focusing on military, scientific, energy, and trade collaborations.
This marks Starmer’s first visit to Ukraine since assuming his role in July, although his previous trip in 2023 occurred when he was still the opposition leader. Since becoming Prime Minister, he has also met with Zelenskyy twice in London.
Starmer was warmly welcomed at the Kyiv railway station by the U.K. ambassador to Ukraine, Martin Harris, and Ukraine’s representative in London, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, on a cold, overcast morning. The U.K., known for being one of Ukraine’s prominent military supporters, has provided £12.8 billion ($16 billion) in military and civilian assistance since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion three years ago, and has trained over 50,000 Ukrainian soldiers on British soil. In addition, Starmer is expected to announce a further £40 million ($49 million) dedicated to Ukraine’s postwar economic recovery.
However, the U.K.’s contributions are significantly overshadowed by those from the United States. The American support for Ukraine remains uncertain with Trump’s upcoming presidency, as he has expressed concerns regarding the expenses associated with U.S. assistance, has indicated a desire to resolve the conflict quickly, and plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he has previously praised.
In a bid to bolster Ukraine’s position ahead of potential negotiations to end the conflict, Kyiv’s allies are working tirelessly to provide as much support as possible before Trump’s inauguration. President Zelenskyy has emphasized the importance of receiving guarantees for Ukraine’s future security, given its proximity to Russia.
The 100-year commitment from the U.K. is aimed at ensuring Ukraine is “never again vulnerable” to the aggression it has faced from Russia, including the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The treaty will outline cooperation on defense matters, particularly focusing on maritime security in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and Sea of Azov, alongside technology initiatives such as drone development, which have proven essential in the ongoing conflict. Furthermore, the agreement includes mechanisms to track Ukrainian grain that is illegally exported by Russia from occupied territories.
“Putin’s ambition to pull Ukraine away from its closest allies has been an enormous strategic blunder. In fact, it has brought us closer together, and this partnership will enhance that relationship,” Starmer commented before his visit. “This venture is not merely about addressing current challenges; it represents an investment into our two nations for the next hundred years, fostering technological progress, scientific advancements, and cultural exchanges, while capitalizing on Ukraine’s remarkable innovations over the years.”
During their discussions, Zelenskyy and Starmer are expected to talk about a proposal by French President Emmanuel Macron, which suggests deploying troops from France and other Western nations to Ukraine to oversee a ceasefire. Zelenskyy has indicated that any such initiative should coincide with a timeline for Ukraine’s accession to NATO. The alliance, comprising 32 member states, has assured that Ukraine will eventually be part of NATO, but only after the conclusion of the ongoing conflict. Trump has shown sympathy for the viewpoint that Ukraine should refrain from joining NATO.
As the war approaches its three-year mark, both Russia and Ukraine continue to strive for territorial gains ahead of potential peace discussions. Ukraine has initiated a second offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, seeking to maintain control over territories acquired in the previous year while intensifying drone and missile strikes on Russian military installations and fuel depots. In the meantime, Russian forces are gradually advancing, albeit at the cost of heavy casualties, along a 600-mile (1,000-kilometer) front in eastern Ukraine. They are also launching severe strikes aimed at crippling Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in an effort to leave Ukrainians without heat and electricity during the harsh winter months. A major Russian missile assault across various Ukrainian regions on Wednesday forced authorities to implement power outages in several areas.
