UK pledges support to Ukraine with 'groundbreaking' 100-year contract

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Sir Keir Starmer (centre) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (second left) attend a presentation on Ukrainian military drones.

Sir Keir Starmer pledged to leave Ukraine in the “strongest position possible” during his visit to Kiev as he signed a “landmark” 100-year deal with the war-torn country.

The prime minister's visit on Thursday came as loud explosions and air raid sirens rang out after a reported Russian drone attack was intercepted by Ukrainian defense systems.

Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged Russia's 'goodbye' and said Ukraine would send its own 'goodbye'.

To date, the war has killed or injured about 1 million people. As the invasion approaches its third year, Ukraine is losing territory in its east.

Zelenskyy praised Britain's commitment on Thursday amid growing concerns that US President-elect Donald Trump, who is due to take office on Monday, could potentially reduce aid.

Amid concerns that the United States, Ukraine's biggest financial backer, could pressure Ukraine to make peace with Russia, Zelenskyy is seeking to secure security guarantees from key allies.

Sir Keir said the apparent airstrikes that greeted him in Kiev were “a reminder of routine attacks and the resolve of the Ukrainian people”.

“We will be with you not just today, not this year or next year, but 100 years after this terrible war ends and Ukraine becomes free and prosperous again,” he told Zelenskyy in Kiev.

He also said Britain would work with all its allies to ensure that any agreement to end the war would be strong enough to “ensure Ukraine's security” and “deter future attacks”.

Zelenskyy has previously asked other European allies, including Britain and France, to send troops to Ukraine for post-war peacekeeping operations.

Starmer did not say whether Britain would deploy troops, but said in response to a journalist's question: “It's really important that Ukraine is put in the strongest possible position.”

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The UK has committed to a 100-year partnership with Ukraine.

The latest commitment builds on the $12.8 billion the UK has already provided to Ukraine, with a commitment of $3 billion annually “as far as possible.”

It includes military support, including the provision of a new mobile air defense system designed in the UK and funded by Denmark, as well as economic support, medical support, expanded military cooperation on maritime security and drone technology.

The UK will also continue to train the Ukrainian army. To date, more than 50,000 people have been trained on British soil.

In Kiev, the two leaders visited the monument and laid wreaths in the colors of the British and Ukrainian flags. St Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery is covered with photographs of the dead and has become a pilgrimage site for grieving families to pay their respects.

When the leaders later met at the Mariinsky Palace in Kiev, several explosions and air raid sirens were heard.

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Sir Keir Starmer pledged to “support Ukraine for as long as it takes.”

Sir Keir also visited a specialist burn treatment hospital and met injured Ukrainians in a rehabilitation unit supported by the British Red Cross.

“If Ukraine falls, Europe falls too,” a wounded civilian with burns on both hands and arms told the prime minister.

Sir Keir said the injuries he had seen were “a grim reminder of the high price Ukraine is paying”.

“One of the consequences of this conflict will be to unite NATO even more strongly,” he added.

Zelensky has previously said he is seeking Britain's help for security guarantees to deter future attacks.

Joining NATO was near the top of his wish list, but Ukraine wants allies to send peacekeepers to patrol the current front lines when fighting stops, which could serve as a buffer zone in a peace deal.

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The Prime Minister met a wounded Ukrainian soldier during his visit.

Russian forces are gaining ground faster than ever since Ukraine launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, despite Ukraine's attacks on Russia.

According to reputable Ukrainian open source sources, Russia has blocked major highways and railways southwest of Pokrovsk, a strategic location in eastern Ukraine.

They also made great progress in other population centers in eastern Toretsk and Chasiv Yar.

Ukraine has already used British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to attack Russian military installations far from the border.

The partnership announced on Thursday, which consists of a treaty and a political declaration, is expected to be presented to parliament in the coming weeks. Planning for this began under the previous Conservative government.

This is his first visit as prime minister, but Sir Kiir visited Ukraine in 2023 when he was the opposition leader, and has hosted Zelenskyy twice at Downing Street since taking office.

Additional reporting by Alex Smith and Zahra Fatima

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