British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Ukraine on Thursday, January 16, pledging to secure the nation’s safety for the next century. This visit comes just days before Donald Trump is set to be sworn in as the new U.S. President. During his trip to Kyiv, Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are expected to sign a 100-Year Partnership agreement, focusing on areas such as defense, science, energy, and trade.
This unannounced visit marks Starmer’s first trip to Ukraine since assuming office in July. Previously, he visited Ukraine in 2023 while serving as the leader of the opposition and has twice met Zelenskyy at 10 Downing Street since becoming the UK’s prime minister.
The United Kingdom has been one of Ukraine’s staunchest military allies, providing Pound 12.8-billion (approximately 16 billion USD) in military and humanitarian aid since Russia’s large-scale invasion three years ago. Over 50,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained in the UK during this time. Starmer is set to announce an additional £40 million (49 million USD) to aid Ukraine’s economic recovery after the war.
While the UK plays a significant role in supporting Ukraine, it pales in comparison to the assistance provided by the United States. However, there is growing uncertainty over the continuation of U.S. aid once Trump takes office on January 20. The president-elect has voiced concerns about the cost of U.S. support for Kyiv, emphasized the need to bring the conflict to an end swiftly, and announced plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he has openly admired.
Amid these uncertainties, Ukraine’s allies are working to provide as much support as possible before Trump’s inauguration, aiming to strengthen Ukraine's position ahead of any potential peace talks. Zelenskyy has emphasized the importance of securing long-term protection for Ukraine in any peace agreement with Russia.
The UK's 100-Year Partnership is seen as a step in this direction. It focuses on ensuring Ukraine’s safety and sovereignty, preventing future aggression from Russia. The treaty includes commitments to collaborate on defense, with a particular emphasis on maritime security in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and Sea of Azov. It also involves joint technology projects, including advancements in drone technology and a system to track stolen Ukrainian grain exported by Russia from occupied territories.
“Putin’s goal to isolate Ukraine from its allies has completely backfired. We're closer than ever before, and this partnership strengthens that bond,” Keir Starmer said ahead of the visit. “This is about more than the present moment; it’s a long-term investment in the future of our nations, fostering innovation, technology, and cultural exchanges for generations to come.”
During their discussions, Zelenskyy and Starmer are also expected to review a plan proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron, which involves deploying Western troops to Ukraine to oversee a ceasefire agreement. Zelenskyy has insisted that such a plan must be paired with a clear roadmap for Ukraine’s NATO membership. Although NATO’s 32 member countries have committed to allowing Ukraine to join eventually, they have stated that this will only happen after the war ends. Trump, however, has shown support for Putin’s stance that Ukraine should remain outside NATO.
As the war approaches its three-year mark, both Russia and Ukraine are intensifying efforts to gain ground ahead of possible peace negotiations. Ukraine has launched a second offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, targeting strategic sites and reinforcing its positions. Meanwhile, Russia continues its relentless campaign along the 600-mile front line, incurring heavy casualties while launching missile and drone strikes aimed at crippling Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during the harsh winter months.
On January 15, a major Russian missile barrage targeted several regions across Ukraine, forcing authorities to shut down power grids in some areas, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.