Keir Starmer traveled to Kyiv on Wednesday for his final visit as UK prime minister, announcing a fresh funding package worth £255 million that includes 16 new advanced aircraft for Ukraine's war effort against Russia.
Starmer met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the visit, where he was also awarded the Order of Freedom, one of Ukraine's highest honors. According to BBC News, Starmer told Zelensky: "Anyone who thinks that Ukraine is somehow a drain is just plain wrong - The truth is Ukraine's stand has preserved European security."
The visit falls on his last day as leader of the Labour Party. Andy Burnham is set to replace him on Friday and become prime minister on Monday. Asked whether Burnham would maintain the same level of support for Ukraine, Starmer said: "The fact that there'll be a new prime minister in days to come doesn't change that dynamic at all. The resolve of the UK will remain the same - We will not waver."
Standing alongside Zelensky, Starmer said: "Your fight is our fight, your security is our security, and the UK will not waver." He told the Ukrainian president: "The shift in momentum is real and Ukraine is now in its strongest position since the start of Russia's full stage invasion. Bravery takes you through unimaginable hardships but finally - I am certain - it will reward you with victory."
Starmer leaves office having signed a 100-year partnership between the UK and Ukraine aimed at deepening defence and trade ties. He also helped lead efforts to establish a future peacekeeping force in the country.
The trip took place against a backdrop of domestic unrest in Ukraine. Protests have broken out in several Ukrainian cities following Zelensky's surprise dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who was 35 years old and had only been appointed in January. Fedorov had been credited with leading an anti-corruption drive within the military. Zelensky has not publicly explained the decision. Ukrainian MPs are expected to vote on Thursday to confirm Ihor Klymenko, currently head of the interior ministry, as Fedorov's replacement.
When asked about his concerns over leadership changes in Britain and the upcoming elections in France, Zelensky said: "Of course I'm afraid of changes, of course we are afraid because we are in the war each day. But again the priority is the relation between nations, not just between just people. I'm sure that these relations will not change, or we have to do our best not to lose such very good relations."
He added: "I hope we will never lose strong relations with the UK during or after the war." Starmer replied: "You won't."
Burnham will take office Monday as the new prime minister, inheriting both the 100-year partnership framework and the UK's ongoing commitments to Ukraine's defence.
