Starmer pledges 'unwavering support' for Ukraine on final visit as PM
Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK's "unwavering" support for Ukraine will continue, on a final visit to the country as prime minister.
He met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce fresh funding worth £255m (300m Euro), including 16 new advanced aircraft, for Ukraine's fight against Russia.
Speaking in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, he said: "Anyone who thinks that Ukraine is somehow a drain is just plain wrong - The truth is Ukraine's stand has preserved European security."
Sir Keir's visit, where he was awarded Ukranian honour the Order of Freedom, comes amid protests in several Ukrainian cities over Zelensky's surprise dismissal of popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
Zelensky has not yet explained his decision to get rid of 35-year-old Fedorov, who was appointed in January and credited with heading a drive against corruption.
Ukrainian MPs are expected to vote in Ihor Klymenko, who currently heads the interior ministry, as Fedorov's replacement on Thursday.
Today's visit comes onSir Keir's final day as leader of the Labour Party, with Andy Burnham set to replace him on Friday before becoming prime minister on Monday.
Asked whether Burnham would continue the UK's steadfast support for Ukraine, Sir Keir 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."
Sir Keir leaves a legacy including the signing of a 100-year partnership between the two countries, aimed at fostering closer defence and trade ties, and has led efforts to establish a future peacekeeping force.
Standing alongside Zelensky, he said Ukraine would always be at the forefront of his mind even though his time as prime minister was ending.
Support for Ukraine's cause was "in our bones", he said, highlighting how Ukrainian flags are still flying above Downing Street, churches and town halls across the UK, even five years into the conflict.
"Your fight is our fight, your security is our security, and the UK will not waver," Sir Keir assured Zelensky.
"The shift in momentum is real and Ukraine is now in its strongest position since the start of Russia's full stage invasion.
"Bravery will get you through unimaginable times but finally - I am certain - it will reward you with victory."
Sir Keir also insisted UK support for Ukraine was behind the UK's new drone industry, which he said had grown from almost nothing over the last two years to become world-leading technology.
Speaking at the Nato summit in Turkey last week, Zelensky urged allies to focus on air defence systems in the face of intense Russian strikes.
The Ukrainian leader was later granted permission to produce Patriot missiles by US President Donald Trump, which could help defend Kyiv against Russia's ballistic missile attacks.
The first of 150 British-made, artillery barrels are being provided to Ukraine to strengthen their defence under a £61m contract with BAE Systems.
"I am so proud of what Britain has contributed. That work will continue, and our cast-iron support for Ukraine will always endure," Sir Keir added in his statement.
The visit comes as Russia continues to target the port of Odesa, where the Kremlin said it hit port infrastructure, "used for the unloading of petroleum, oil, and lubricants".
Eight people were killed following Russian attacks on Black Sea oil tankers.
During Sir Keir's final Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday, he was praised by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for his work on Ukraine and his friendship with Zelensky.
While bidding farewell to MPs, Sir Keir fondly recalled the "emotional moment" when he had welcomed Zelensky to Downing Street in the days after his White House bust-up with US President Donald Trump in February 2025.
"I had a meeting with him to tell him that in this country we will stand with him and Ukraine," he said.
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