In Kyiv, UK’s Keir Starmer vows to put Ukraine in ‘strongest position’ against Russia

His commitment comes as Trump’s return to the White House drew concerns that a bid to end the war could force Ukraine to cede territory

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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visit The Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine in at St Michael’s Square. Photo: dpa

Published: 7:19pm, 16 Jan 2025Updated: 9:27pm, 16 Jan 2025

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday he would give Ukraine the support it needed to put it in the strongest position to fight Russia in 2025, saying before talks in Kyiv with President Volodymyr Zelensky: “We mustn’t let up”.

Britain and Ukraine’s leaders on Thursday also signed a “landmark” 100-year agreement that pledges strengthening defence ties between the two countries.

“Together we signed a landmark agreement, the very first of its kind, a new partnership between the UK and Ukraine that reflects the huge affection that exists between our two nations,” Starmer told reporters in Kyiv.

In his first trip to Ukraine since becoming prime minister in July last year, Starmer was keen to underline Britain’s support for the nation just days before Donald Trump returns to power in the United States.

His visit comes two days after German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius also travelled to the country, with European leaders weighing what security guarantees they can provide as part of any peace agreement that may be pushed by Trump.

Trump’s return to the White House has drawn concerns that a bid to end Moscow’s war could force Ukraine to cede large parts of the country to Russia for the foreseeable future.