The British Prime Minister made an unannounced visit to Kiev to sign a stunning 100-year military and economic agreement with the country, and spoke of “unbreakable ties” with Ukraine.
Sir Keir Starmer on Thursday visited Ukraine for the first time since becoming prime minister nearly six months ago, and announced he would bring a photograph of himself on a train as required under the war-imposed no-fly zone. In a statement ahead of his meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, Mr Starmer said today he would sign the 100-year agreement, hailed as a “historic 100-year partnership that continues to support Ukraine and invest in both countries for the future”. announced that it was planned. Officially establishing the “unbreakable bond” between the two countries.
The prime minister called Russia's war a “major strategic failure”, saying it had brought Ukraine and Western countries including Britain “closer than ever before” and urged them to take their friendship to the “next level”. Mr Starmer said: “Through this partnership, we are creating a strong economy that works for the British people, a safe country that protects our interests at home and abroad, and a prosperous society.”
A government statement on the treaty said it covers defense and civil sectors, as well as trade and cultural links, including “health and disease, agritech, space, drones, etc.” This includes science and technology partnerships in areas such as: Partner in Ukraine's energy sector, key mineral strategy and green steel production. ”
On the military front, the UK-Ukraine treaty appears to have a strong focus on maritime security, which was already a key feature of the relationship even before Russia's re-invasion in 2022, but also in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Refers to the Ukrainian Sea. Azov.
The actual content of the treaty and accompanying political declaration will be debated in the UK Parliament in the coming weeks, the government said.
Mr Starmer's century-long bondage of Britain and Ukraine has been widely interpreted in the British press as a message to Donald Trump just days before his inauguration. Despite President Trump's determination to quickly bring peace to the region, the UK, like several other European countries, remains determined to continue fighting Ukraine.
times state As well as the deal, Mr Starmer is expected to announce new funding for Kyiv worth 40 million pounds ($49 million) today. guardian state The UK may send troops to Ukraine as part of a multinational peacekeeping force aimed at deterring future Russian aggression. This has emerged as a major concern for President Zelenskiy, who frequently raises the issue in speeches and meetings with other leaders.
President Zelenskiy's most enthusiastic ally on this issue remains France's Emmanuel Macron. Ukraine's president previously called the plan to send NATO troops to Ukraine to confront Moscow a “French initiative” and said he hoped it would “contribute to stabilizing the path to peace.” .
