Keir Starmer Visits Kyiv, Pledges 100-Year Security Partnership With Ukraine

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Kyiv with an unannounced visit, committing to a ‘100-Year Partnership’ treaty designed to ensure Ukraine’s security for the next century, AP reported on January 16.

The treaty, which Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are set to sign, encompasses defense, science, energy, and trade cooperation. Britain’s government stated that the agreement aims to ensure Ukraine is “never again vulnerable to the kind of brutality inflicted on it by Russia.”

Starmer’s unannounced visit marks his first trip to Ukraine as Prime Minister, having previously visited the country in 2023 as opposition leader. Since assuming office in July, he has held two rounds of talks with Zelenskyy at 10 Downing Street.

The UK has been one of Ukraine’s most steadfast allies, providing $16 billion in military and civilian aid and training over 50,000 Ukrainian troops since Russia’s full-scale invasion began three years ago. Starmer’s visit also includes an announcement of an additional $49 million for Ukraine’s post-war economic recovery.

The ‘100-Year Partnership’ includes cooperation in maritime defense, particularly against Russian aggression in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and Sea of Azov. It also focuses on technological innovation, including drone development, and introduces a tracking system to monitor stolen Ukrainian grain exported by Russia from occupied territories.

“Putin’s ambition to wrench Ukraine away 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,” Starmer stated.

“This is not just about the here and now. It is an investment in our two countries for the next century, harnessing the incredible innovation Ukraine has shown in recent years to benefit future generations,” he added.

Zelenskyy revealed that he and Starmer would also discuss a French-led proposal to station Western troops in Ukraine to oversee a potential ceasefire agreement.

Earlier, Zelenskyy stated that deploying an international contingent in Ukraine would be one of the most effective tools to pressure Russia into peace.

This report comes amid Zelenskyy’s confirmation that discussions in Brussels included the idea of deploying a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine, he said that consultations on the proposal are ongoing with support from French President Emmanuel Macron.

“We discussed Emmanuel’s longstanding idea. We support the concept of a peacekeeping mission, which means strengthening Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said at the time.