Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to Ukraine comes ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration and a potential push for a peace deal to end the war with Russia.
Ukraine must be put in the “strongest possible position” in 2025, Sir Keir Starmer said as he made his first trip to Kyiv as Prime Minister.
The visit comes just days before Donald Trump enters the White House, potentially signalling a shift in US support for Ukraine’s war effort in favour of a push for a peace deal.
The Prime Minister said the UK would “never let up” on support for Kyiv, with a new 100 Year Partnership deal set to cement ties with Ukraine.
Sir Keir said he would discuss what further support he could offer to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky during the visit.
Speaking to broadcasters at a hospital in Kyiv, he said: “It’s very important we ensure that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position.
“That’s something I’ve been arguing for since I was Prime Minister. This is my seventh meeting with President Zelensky. I’m here at the burns unit of one of the Kyiv hospitals, which is a grim reminder of the heavy price Ukraine is paying.
“So we must give the necessary support, and that’s what I’m discussing with President Zelensky today. We must never let up on that and we’ve been leading the way.”
