British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged on Thursday to work with Ukraine and allies to offer Kyiv robust security guarantees if a ceasefire is negotiated with Russia, offering more support to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a 100-year partnership deal.
In his first trip to Ukraine since becoming prime minister in July last year, Starmer was keen to underline Britain's support for the nation just days before Donald Trump returns to power in the United States.
In talks punctuated by the sound of a loud explosion from Ukraine's air defenses shooting down a Russian drone above the presidential palace, Zelenskyy said he had spoken to Starmer about Kyiv's desire for Western peacekeeping troops to be deployed in Ukraine in the event of peace.
Starmer said Britain would look at "the practical ways to get a just and lasting peace ... that guarantees your security, your independence and your right to choose your own future", but declined to go into any details of which measures he supported.
"We will work with you and all of our allies on steps that would be robust enough to guarantee Ukraine's security," Starmer told a press conference alongside Zelenskyy. "Those conversations will continue for many months ahead."
Pressed in an interview with Sky News on whether Britain would contribute troops to any peacekeeping force, Starmer said: "I've been discussing this with a number of allies, including, of course, (French) President Macron, including President Zelenskyy here today, and we will play our full part."
Starmer's visit comes two days after German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also travelled to the country, with European leaders weighing what security guarantees they can provide as part of any peace agreement that may be pushed by Trump.
Trump's return to the White House has drawn concerns that a bid to end Moscow's war could force Ukraine to cede large parts of the country to Russia for the foreseeable future.
Zelenskyy said he had also spoken to France, Poland and the Baltics about a possible peacekeeping deployment to deter Russia from mounting any future attack after a ceasefire and expressed frustration at nations' opposition to Ukraine's bid to become a member of the U.S.-led military NATO alliance.
But Starmer urged Ukraine and the West should not lose focus of the most pressing need to "ensure that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position" in 2025 to fight Russia.
"We're a long way into this conflict. We mustn't let up."
PARTNERSHIP DEAL
As the war against Russia approaches its three-year mark, Ukraine is on the backfoot on the front lines. Ukrainian forces are suffering from manpower shortages and losing ground in the eastern Donetsk region as Russia's troops continue their advance.
Since Russia's invasion in 2022, Britain has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine, with Starmer's predecessors visiting Kyiv in the early days of their tenure.
It took a little longer for Starmer to make the trip, but he comes armed with a 100-year partnership with Kyiv to deepen security and cultural ties.
The treaty and political declaration aims to boost military cooperation to strengthen security in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea and Sea of Azov and deter Russian aggression.
The treaty will also cover areas such as energy, critical minerals and green steel production, Starmer's office said.
"Putin's ambition to wrench Ukraine away from its closest partners has been a monumental strategic failure," Starmer said in a statement. "Instead, we are closer than ever, and this partnership will take that friendship to the next level."
Britain has provided 12.8 billion pounds ($16 billion) in support to Ukraine since in 2022, a sum dwarfed by Washington's $63.5 billion in security assistance, underscoring the importance of Trump's actions over Ukraine.
The partnership announced on Thursday, which provides 40 million pounds for Ukraine's economic recovery, includes additional support around grain verification and trade with Ukraine's thriving technology sector that has produced battle-ready equipment.
© (Thomson Reuters 2025.
35 Comments
Underworld
And that means for arms for Ukraine.
TaiwanIsNotChina
It will have to be a full Article 5 guarantee to result in anything being signed over to the terrorist state.
Primusinter
For 100 years? In a hundred years, either the ass or the padishah...:)
But seriously... what kind of legal status has an agreement signed on one hand by a legitimately elected prime minister, and on the other by none? The President of Ukraine is currently nobody, a crook. Clowning is a contagious acting
Underworld
Primusinter
with a 100-year partnership deal.
Zelenskyy is the legitimately elected president of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy is a truly brave and admirable leader. He's exactly what Ukraine needs as it is being aggressively invaded by an autocrat and dictator.
Underworld
Burgerland
"It will have to be a full Article 5 guarantee to result in anything being signed over to the terrorist state."
Then there will be no peace. The butcher of Moscow doesn't keep his word.
Underworld
Burgerland
Nobody realistic expects "a full Article 5 guarantee " to happen. ....Then there will be no peace. "*
Correct. But Putin does not.
I'm not pushing for more fighting.
Indeed. But Putin isn't interested in diplomacy.
JJE
Not going to happen because it needs Moscow's approval and will be viewed as more nazi troops on the invasion routes into European Russia.
Nice show they put on for Starmer.
JJE
That body of water is now a Russian inland sea.
The rump of those are in the south-east and under new management. Not sure about the "green steel" thing - sounds very stylish though. And they'd better get some energy.
Primusinter
You may repeat it a million times, but it doesn't make him legitimately elected. His term of office is expired. No one will sit down at the negotiating table with him. However, you can try and talk to him. It's the first thing.
The second one. Ukraine has confirmed that it is not going to cancel the decree of the ex president banning negotiations with Putin. These are two facts that needed to be corrected before talking about the possibility of negotiations.
Underworld
Burgerland
Correct. But Putin does not."
Yes, he has. But has never made a reasonable offer and he still says that his war aims have not changed (which include installing a puppet president, like Belarus).
I have no doubt Trump will meet him, but I don't see a peace deal coming out of it.
Underworld
JJE
The treaty and political declaration aims to boost military cooperation to strengthen security in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea and Sea of Azov and deter Russian aggression.
Sure, but they can't sail their navy there in fear of being hit by Ukrainian sea drones. ;-)
JJE
Primus has a valid point. A major roadblock to any potential future agreement is Zelensky's questionable status. Future Kyiv governments may disown any signed agreement precisely because of this.
Underworld
Primusinter
Zelenskyy is the legitimately elected president of Ukraine.
Sure, but the constitution doesn't allow for elections during war time, so he is totally legitimate.
And the fact that Putin does not want peace.
JJE
Have not seen sea drones in Sea of Azov - keep in mind they have to go past and under the Kerch bridge (check a map, Russia controls the entire coast and the two access points to it).
Underworld
JJE
Zelenskyy's status is not questionable. He is the president.
Relax, they won't. However, Putin is unlikely to keep any agreement he signs - based on past behavior.
Primusinter
No one declared war on anyone. It's troublesome. Therefore, the constitution will not be able to hide the collision behind. No one will talk to Zel. even if you collect all the arguments in the world :)
isabelle
Perhaps if he gets a really big table, Putin will like that and instinctively want to sit at it.
JJE
Forget Zelensky's legitimacy for a moment: Starmer's political authority in the UK is questionable ('elected' with a record low for Labour, 33% of the vote). He has record low popularity. There is domestic controversy with his party recently blocking an inquiry into a certain issue, creating political uproar across the spectrum. A prominent tech baron has called for his jailing and new elections. There are question marks over the UK economy.
His international authority is even more questionable, as is the legitimacy of this "100 year" deal - which sounds stylish, but in reality, is more a marketing slogan someone dreamt up for PR purposes, as opposed to anything with foundation.
wallace
I am happy my small country the UK will continue to support Ukraine even in some small way and take on Putin.
Underworld
Primusinter
Zelenskyy's status is not questionable. He is the president.
Yeah, right. Whatever the butcher of Moscow wants to call it, it's a war.
Well, Keir Starmer is, so that's wrong.
JJE
They turned on the air raid sirens and "shot down a drone" over the presidential palace for dramatic effect.
Not the first time they've pulled this stunt and won't be the last.
Think about it: no chance they'd do this presser in the middle of a legitimate air raid.
Underworld
JJE
At least they have democracy in the UK - something that Russia doesn't have...
Primusinter
Unconvincing slogan:)
They have Territory in Russia - something that the UK doesn't have.
I'm afraid you won't be able to explain what democracy is. But I can explain what a Territory is :) Everyone chooses according to their taste. By the way, what is it: there is no democracy in Russia? You talk about it so much, but you can never explain it.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Then russia will be getting no handover ceremonies of territory. Simple as.
JJE
Then Kyiv will keep losing territory till it's demarcated. Simple as.
TaiwanIsNotChina
It's a long way to Kyiv and even longer to Lviv with plenty of opportunities for sweets to be delivered.
JJE
Moscow doesn't want Lviv. Just areas founded by Russia, which Moscow considers rightfully theirs.
https://x.com/MyLordBebo/status/1877426715812602353
Primusinter
It seems that you don't know the definition of the word "fact". What did you find so factual in what you said? Your conclusion is not a fact, but your wish.
Underworld
JJE
Then Russia's economy will collapse. Simple as.
Primusinter
Quite right! Kiev and Odessa (also, Dnepropetrovsk, Poltava, Sumy, Кharkov and some other ) are founded by Russian tsars. Thank god for not mentioning Alaska and California yet:))))
Tokyo Guy
I like our UK cousins. They tend to do the right thing, and they'll need to keep doing so, as the incoming administration in the US is almost certain to do the absolute opposite of the right thing.