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Sir Keir Starmer has affirmed the UK’s “cast-iron” support for Ukraine will “always endure”, during his final visit to the country as Prime Minister.
The outgoing Labour leader is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Thursday, a high-security trip before he leaves office.
He is expected to assure Mr Zelensky that Britain’s commitment to backing Ukraine will continue after he is succeeded by Andy Burnham.
Mr Burnham will become Labour leader on Friday, then Prime Minister on Monday. He will be the fifth premier since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
The Prime Minister’s trip comes days after Ukrainian air defences intercepted five ballistic missiles launched by Russia in a raft of night attacks, (Henry Nicholls/PA)
Sir Keir said: “Throughout this conflict, I have seen the incredible fortitude of the Ukrainian people and the iron will of a nation that refuses to be cowed.
“Their stand has not only defended its own freedom, it has preserved the security of Europe.
“When I became Prime Minister, I knew the UK must not simply stand with Ukraine in the moment, but help build the foundations of its long-term security and success.
“That’s why we put the UK at the centre of a stronger Europe – investing more money into defence, leading the way in the war fighting technologies of the future and doing everything we can to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position.
“And we have brought others with us on that journey. As we showed at the G7 and Nato summits, in recent weeks, the UK and its allies are absolutely united against Russian aggression.
“I am so proud of what Britain has contributed. That work will continue, and our cast-iron support for Ukraine will always endure.
“Not just for them and for European security, but for families in Britain who have felt the cost of this war through rising prices.”
Sir Keir will also hear how allies can further meet the needs of Ukraine.
The first of 150 British-made, artillery barrels are being provided to Ukraine to strengthen their defence under a £61 million contract with BAE Systems.
The 105mm and 155mm gun barrels are being produced at Sheffield Forgemasters, the first time forged artillery barrels have been produced in the UK for almost two decades.
The Prime Minister’s trip comes days after Ukrainian air defences intercepted five ballistic missiles launched by Russia in a raft of night attacks, the country’s air force said, though other missiles and drones got through and hit Kyiv.
In the capital, the attack caused fires at two warehouses, while a school was also damaged, the city’s mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
The Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement that the attack targeted military manufacturing facilities in the Ukrainian capital that produce long-range missiles and drones.
Ukraine’s air force said one ballistic missile and 25 drones struck 17 locations, while falling debris was reported in 10 locations.
The Prime Minister is spending his final days in office highlighting what he sees as his legacy, including support for Ukraine.
He began the week in Paris where he attended a meeting of the “coalition of the willing” group.
On Tuesday morning, he was with Emmanuel Macron and other leaders at the Bastille Day celebrations in the French capital in a sign of the closer relationship he has tried to forge with European neighbours as part of his post-Brexit reset.
Mr Macron awarded Sir Keir the Legion d’honneur in recognition of his support for Ukraine and European relations.
Sir Keir’s time as Prime Minister has seen the signing of a 100-year partnership between the UK and Ukraine, aimed at fostering closer defence and trade ties among other things.
After a tempestuous exchange with Donald Trump in the White House last year, Mr Zelensky was invited to London for a summit at Lancaster House.
Sir Keir led efforts during the gathering of mainly European leaders to establish a peacekeeping force aimed at deterring Russia in the event of an end to the war.
Earlier this week, it was also announced that Britain is joining the EU’s 90 billion euro (£78 billion) loan to Ukraine.
The Prime Minister said British firms would be able to bid for contracts funded by the EU’s Ukraine support loan.
The loan is intended to help cover Kyiv’s most urgent defence and budgetary needs in 2026 and 2027, with two-thirds of the total allocated to military spending.
