Starmer to pledge ‘100-year partnership’ with Ukraine

British PM Keir Starmer arrived in Ukraine’s capital on Thursday with a pledge to help guarantee the country's security for a century.

The British government said Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will sign a “100-year partnership” treaty in Kyiv, covering areas, including defence, science, energy and trade. This is Starmer’s first trip to Ukraine since he took office in July. His last visit was in 2023, when he was an Opposition leader.

The Italian defence chief was also in Kyiv on Thursday, two days after Germany's defence minister visited and three days after Zelenskyy talked with French President Emmanuel Macron on phone.

The flurry of diplomatic activity came in the run-up to Trump’s inauguration next Monday, which is expected to bring a departure from the outgoing US administration's pledge to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes to defeat Russia. Trump has also indicated he wants Europe to shoulder more of the burden for helping Ukraine.