British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R)
Kiev: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Ukraine on Thursday and pledged to guarantee the country’s security for a century. Starmer’s visit to Ukraine comes a few days before US President-elect Donald Trump takes charge of the administration. The British government said Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would sign a “100-year partnership” pact in Kiev, covering areas such as defence, science, energy and trade.
Britain has helped Ukraine
This is Starmer’s first unannounced visit to Ukraine since taking office in July. He visited the country as opposition leader in 2023 and has held talks with Zelensky twice at ’10 Downing Street’ (the official residence and office of the UK Prime Minister) since becoming Prime Minister. Britain, one of Ukraine’s biggest military backers, has pledged £12.8 billion (US$16 billion) in military and civilian aid to Ukraine since Russia’s massive invasion three years ago and British soil. More than 50,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained there.
Also know
Starmer is to announce an additional 40 million pounds (49 million US dollars) of aid for economic recovery for Ukraine. Britain’s role in Ukraine has been minimal compared to the US’s, and there remains deep uncertainty about the future of US support for Ukraine after Trump became president on January 20. Newly elected President Trump has expressed reservations about the cost of American aid to Kiev. He says he wants to end the war quickly and plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. (AP)
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