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Blasts in Kyiv as Starmer inks ‘landmark’ 100-year accord

AFP
Friday, Jan 17, 2025

KYIV, Ukraine: Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a “landmark” 100-year partnership agreement with Ukraine during an unannounced visit to the war-torn country on Thursday, seeking to shore up support for Kyiv before Donald Trump returns to the White House.

Loud blasts and air raid sirens rang out over the Ukrainian capital after Starmer’s arrival as air defence systems in central Kyiv repelled a Russian drone attack, officials and AFP journalists reported. In Starmer’s first official visit to Kyiv since taking office last July, he pledged steadfast support for Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion, and said any deal to end the fighting must “guarantee” Ukraine’s security and independence.

The visit is the latest meeting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is holding in a flurry of talks with his country’s allies before Trump’s return next week.

The incoming Republican has stoked fears in Kyiv and Europe that he will cut Washington’s vital military aid or force Ukraine to accept a ceasefire on terms that reward Russia for its February 2022 invasion.

Starmer said he would “work with all of our allies” to ensure any settlement was “robust enough to guarantee Ukraine’s security, guarantee any possible peace and deter any future aggression.” Under the 100-year agreement, London and Kyiv pledged to “deepen defence cooperation” and boost Ukraine’s defence industry, recognising it as a “future NATO ally.”

Speaking in Kyiv, Starmer hailed it as a “landmark agreement, the very first of its kind, a new partnership between the UK and Ukraine that reflects the huge affection that exists between our two nations.” Zelensky said ties with Britain were “closer than ever” and called the new agreement “truly comprehensive.”

Starmer had kicked off the visit by laying wreaths with Zelensky to commemorate killed Ukrainian soldiers and visiting a burns hospital treating wounded servicemen.

Ahead of their meeting, Zelensky said that he and Starmer would discuss the possibility of having Western troops stationed in Ukraine to oversee any ceasefire agreement, a divisive proposal initially put forward by French President Emmanuel Macron. Starmer did not say whether Britain would be willing to deploy troops.