Starmer arrived in Kyiv on Thursday for a meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyj. After his arrival, sirens sounded over the Ukrainian capital as air defense systems repelled a Russian drone attack.
At the meeting, they signed an agreement on, among other things, defense, research, energy, and trade.
It's about an investment in our two countries for the next century, and combines technical development, scientific progress, and cultural exchange, and utilizes the phenomenal innovation that Ukraine has shown over the past few years for generations to come, said Starmer before the signing.
Zelenskyj responded that the bonds between the UK and Ukraine "are tighter than ever before".
The UK is one of the largest contributors to Ukraine's military in defense against the Russian full-scale invasion. London has promised to support Ukraine annually with around 3 billion pounds, equivalent to 41 billion kronor, "as long as necessary".
In addition, the UK has supported Ukraine with a loan of 2.2 billion pounds with the yield from frozen Russian assets as collateral.
Starmer emphasized the importance of Ukraine being able to assert its rights in any future negotiations with Russia.
We will cooperate with all our allies to ensure that a settlement is robust enough to guarantee Ukraine's security, secure peace, and deter from future attacks, said Starmer.
