The departing prime minister will use his final journey to Kyiv to affirm to Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Ukraine’s resistance has contributed to safeguarding Europe’s security and that UK assistance will persist after his resignation.
On Thursday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Ukraine for a farewell trip, choosing his last overseas engagement in office to confirm his country’s enduring support ahead of transferring power to his successor next week.
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Starmer is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where he will likely emphasize that the UK’s commitment to Ukraine remains firm even after Andy Burnham assumes office as prime minister on Monday.
«Our unwavering support for Ukraine will continue indefinitely,» Starmer stated in a message released before the visit.
«Throughout this conflict, I witnessed the remarkable resilience of the Ukrainian people and the unbreakable resolve of a nation that refuses to surrender. Their resistance has not only protected their own freedom but also maintained Europe’s safety.»
This trip follows closely after the UK joined the European Union’s €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, granting British defense companies access to contracts financed by the EU initiative. Consequently, London will be responsible for a portion of €3 billion in annual interest costs, based on the extent of contracts secured by UK firms.
Brussels has welcomed the agreement as a significant development in reinforcing Europe’s united backing of Kyiv.
Burnham will officially become leader of the governing Labour Party on Friday, before his appointment as prime minister by King Charles III on Monday. He will be the fifth UK prime minister since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Starmer to resign on Friday
Starmer declared his resignation last month after losing support within his own Labour Party, following a series of reversals in domestic policy.
Despite declining popularity at home, he maintained strong international backing for his positions on Ukraine, NATO, and efforts to rebuild relations with Europe post-Brexit.
His departure led Brussels to delay plans for a UK-EU summit originally scheduled for 22 July. London aims to restart discussions under its new prime minister following the summer period.
Together with French President Emmanuel Macron, Starmer has been among Europe’s foremost advocates for Ukraine, helping to found the UK-France-led «Coalition of the Willing,» uniting over 30 countries to design long-term security guarantees and a potential multinational peacekeeping force in the event of a peace agreement with Russia.
Additional sources • AFP