Anti-aircraft fire erupted in Kiev as Keir Starmer met with Volodymyr Zelenskiy during the British Prime Minister’s first official visit to Ukraine.
Loud sounds echoed through the presidential palace, where the two leaders were scheduled to hold a press conference on Thursday, as Ukrainian air defense forces tried to shoot down the drone.
The plane, possibly a Russian decoy plane, could be seen and heard buzzing over the Mariinsky Palace, not far from the presidential palace. It was not immediately clear whether the drone was shot down successfully.
The attack came as Mr Starmer traveled to Ukraine to meet Mr Zelenskiy for the first time since joining Downing Street and hailed the partnership as “closer than ever” just days before Donald Trump returned to the White House. I woke up.
The two countries are expected to sign a partnership agreement to deepen existing defense ties, and further military aid to Kiev will also be proposed amid concerns that the U.S. may begin to reduce aid.
President Trump, who will take the oath of office on Monday, has frequently reiterated his promise to quickly end the conflict in Ukraine. He is expected to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin soon after taking office.
President Zelenskyy urged Ukraine’s Western allies to “not drop the ball” and continue long-term military support to countries facing conflict, saying pulling the plug would lead to “further aggression, chaos, It will only lead to war,” he warned.
Mr Starmer is expected to discuss what security Britain could provide Kiev, including the possibility of British troops joining a post-war peacekeeping force.
“Putin’s ambition to tear Ukraine apart from its closest partner has been a grave strategic failure. On the contrary, we are closer than ever, and this partnership will take that friendship to the next level. ,” Starmer said.
“Never underestimate the power of our long-standing friendship. We are committed to supporting Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s barbaric aggression and rebuild a prosperous and sovereign future. is critical to our national security infrastructure and our transformation plans.”
It is unclear whether the new US administration shares the UK’s strong and unrestricted commitment. President Trump recently blamed Joe Biden for the conflict and echoed the Kremlin’s rhetoric, saying he “understands” why Russia is unhappy with NATO expansion.
Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin has shown no intention of abandoning his maximalist demands. These include handing over four regions of Ukraine that he “annexed” in 2022, including areas not controlled by Russia. and a veto on Kyiv’s membership in NATO.
The Russian president’s apparent calculation is that if President Trump quickly ends military aid to Ukraine, Russia can reap further benefits. For the first time, Russian troops are closing in on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, the center of Ukraine’s defense production.
President Zelenskyy said earlier this month that Kiev’s security guarantees would only be valid if provided by the United States, and that a ceasefire without such guarantees would only give Russia time to rearm.
Mr Starmer’s visit comes after Mr Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron at Checkers last week about the fate of the conflict upon his return. According to French sources, the two leaders discussed the importance of providing Ukraine’s security.
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The 100-year partnership between Ukraine and the UK also aims to strengthen economic cooperation in non-military areas such as science and technology. Starmer is set to announce £40m to boost the economy, which the government says will create opportunities for British businesses.
The funding will be targeted at businesses that support the green economy and marginalized groups, including women and veterans. This builds on the £12.8bn of support the UK has already given Ukraine, including £7.8bn of military aid and continued energy infrastructure support.
“This is not just a matter of today, but a step forward for both countries into the next century, bringing together technological developments, scientific advances and cultural exchanges, and harnessing for generations the incredible innovations that Ukraine has shown in recent years.” It’s also an investment in ‘coming,”’ Starmer said.
“Through this partnership, we will build a strong economy that works for the British people, a safe country that protects our interests at home and abroad, and a prosperous society.”
As opposition leader, the prime minister visited Kyiv in February 2023 and reassured Zelenskiy that Labor’s policies would not change even if it won the general election. Starmer toured the Kiev satellite cities of Bucha and Irpin, where Russian forces executed hundreds of civilians in spring 2022.
In November last year, a senior Ukrainian official expressed dissatisfaction with Starmer’s new government and suggested relations with Britain were “going backwards”. The official said supplies of Britain’s long-range Storm Shadow missiles had stopped, adding that Starmer had repeatedly postponed his visit to Kiev.
“That is not happening. Starmer is not giving us long-range weapons. The situation is not the same as it was when Rishi Sunak was chancellor. Relations have deteriorated,” the official told the Guardian. told. Downing Street reacted with irritation to the comments, refusing to comment on operational matters.
Ukraine subsequently used Storm Shadow missiles against high-value targets, including the Kursk Oblast. Ukrainian forces launched a small-scale counter-incursion into Russia’s border area five months ago and recently captured two North Korean soldiers.
