UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit Kyiv on Thursday for a final summit as head of the British government, Sky News reports, writes UNN.
Keir Starmer will tell President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday that "the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine will continue" during his visit to Kyiv for a final summit with his close ally just days before stepping down as Prime Minister
Details
During his third visit to Kyiv since taking office as Prime Minister, Starmer is said to be using this last major international trip to emphasize his role in supporting Ukraine alongside other European leaders.
"When I became Prime Minister, I knew that Britain must not only support Ukraine now but also help lay the foundations for its long-term security and success," Starmer said.
"That is why we placed Britain at the center of a stronger Europe - investing more in defense, leading in the development of future combat technologies, and doing everything possible to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position," he noted.
He added: "I am very proud of what Britain has contributed. This work will continue, and our unwavering support for Ukraine will always endure."
The trip to Kyiv comes just days after the Prime Minister traveled to Paris for a final summit of the so-called Coalition of the Willing – a group of countries that Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron helped create to support Ukraine.
As a final act as Prime Minister, Starmer signed the UK agreement on the EU defense loan worth 60 billion euros, ensuring that British companies can fully benefit from the military advantages created by Ukraine, the publication writes.
Allies say the British Prime Minister's decision to pay Zelenskyy a final visit in office reflects his commitment to Ukraine and is a highlight of his two-year premiership, with Starmer credited with strengthening Britain's position on the world stage and in Europe.
The British Prime Minister is expected to confirm to Zelenskyy that although he is resigning, the UK's support for Ukraine will continue. The two leaders are expected to discuss what allies should focus on next to ensure Ukraine has everything it needs in this war.
Starmer is also expected to use his final visit to highlight the support his government has provided to Ukraine over the past two years, seeking to make this part of his legacy as Prime Minister.
He is expected to confirm the allocation of 3 billion pounds per year for military support to Ukraine "for as long as it takes" and emphasize his role in the coalition of 34 countries ready to provide assistance, as well as Britain's leadership in the Defense Contact Group, which coordinates military donations.
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