Sir Keir Starmer is traveling to Kiev to sign what Downing Street is calling a “historic 100-year partnership” with Ukraine.
The agreement would formalize the economic and military support already promised to the country, and offer more.
It is the prime minister’s first visit to the country since taking office last summer, in a show of support for Ukraine just days before Donald Trump re-entered the White House.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is keen to negotiate stronger security guarantees from key allies such as Britain, wary that the new US administration could begin pressuring Ukraine to make peace with Russia.
Unlike other prime ministers who have arrived in Kiev, Sir Kiir took his time to visit, but after six months in office he is now coming to Ukraine. and are pledging long-term support against what they call Russia’s “illegal and barbaric aggression.”
Speaking as he toured the country, he said: “It’s not just about the here and now, it’s also about investing in our two countries for the next century.”
“[Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s desire to distance Ukraine from its closest partners has been a monumental strategic failure. Instead, we are closer than ever, and this partnership will take that friendship to the next level.”
Zelensky is keen to negotiate stronger security guarantees from key allies, wary that a new US administration led by President-elect Donald Trump could begin pressuring Ukraine to make peace with Moscow. .
Trump’s pick for secretary of state, Marco Rubio, said earlier this week that both countries would have to make concessions to end the war.
Thursday’s announcement includes more military and economic aid to prove that, as well as increased military cooperation on maritime security and drone technology and health care.
Zielinski previously said he was looking to Britain to help secure security guarantees to prevent future attacks.
Joining NATO is high on its wish list, but Ukraine also wants its ally to send peacekeepers to the country if the fighting stops, to patrol the current front line that would act as a buffer zone in any peace deal. can become
Ahead of the visit, Zielinski said it was something he would discuss with the prime minister.
This builds on £12.8bn in aid that the UK has already given to Ukraine. The country has already committed to giving the country £3 billion in military aid every year “for as long as it takes”.
Ukraine is already using British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to attack Russian military installations across the border.
His arrival late last year was welcomed by Kiev, and condemned by Moscow.
The partnership, which is made up of an agreement and a political declaration, will be tabled in parliament in the coming weeks.
Planning for this began under the previous Conservative government.
Starmer previously visited Ukraine when he was opposition leader in 2023, and has twice hosted President Zelensky in Downing Street since entering office.
Additional reporting by Alex Smith.