Sir Keir Starmer has pledged that the United Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine remains intact as he conducts his final overseas trip as prime minister. Starmer is scheduled to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv this Thursday, shortly before Andy Burnham assumes the Labour leadership and the premiership.
Reflecting on the conflict since the 2022 Russian invasion, Starmer praised the Ukrainian people for safeguarding European stability. During his two-year tenure, he oversaw a 100-year partnership agreement aimed at long-term defense and trade collaboration, alongside efforts to organize a future peacekeeping force. Starmer noted that his administration focused on investing in advanced war technologies and fostering unity among allies at recent G7 and Nato summits.
The visit coincides with ongoing Russian strikes, particularly against Odesa, which recently resulted in eight deaths. Despite the transition of power to Andy Burnham on Friday, Starmer expressed pride in Britain’s contributions, including a £61m contract with BAE Systems for artillery production. During his final Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch commended his handling of the Ukrainian situation and his alliance with Zelensky.
