UK, Ukraine forge historic 100-year partnership in Kyiv: Starmer, Zelenskyy sign agreement

Ukrinform reported the information.

“Today is a truly historic day. Relations between Ukraine and the UK are closer than ever. We have reached a new level, it is more than a strategic relationship. We have signed an agreement on a 100-year partnership,” Zelenskyy said.

The agreement will deepen bilateral relations in the defense sector and provides for further military assistance to Kyiv.

Earlier, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Telegram that they honored the memory of fallen defenders of Ukraine at St. Michael's Square.

Officials honored the memory of fallen defenders of Ukraine at St. Michael's Square.

"We honor and remember the bravery of our warriors. Eternal memory to all who gave their lives defending Ukraine," the post reads.

The visit of Starmer was also confirmed by Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, former Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

"I am pleased to welcome British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Kyiv. This is his first visit to Ukraine as head of the UK government, and it will undoubtedly be eventful," Zaluzhnyi wrote.

t.me/Zaluzhnui

According to him, during the talks in Kyiv, the top leadership of Ukraine and the United Kingdom will discuss further cooperation, primarily in the security sphere.

It is also planned to resume the work of the Strategic Partnership Dialogue, enabling effective discussions and resolutions of various bilateral cooperation issues.

"But the most significant expectation is the signing of an important Agreement on a 100-year partnership between our countries, covering areas from defense to science and culture," the ambassador emphasized.

The Guardian was the first to report on the British Prime Minister's visit.

During his visit, Starmer plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Prime Minister also stated that the partnership with Ukraine is "closer than ever."  

Officials are expected to sign a partnership agreement that will deepen existing defense relations, and the UK will offer further military assistance to Ukraine amid concerns that the U.S. may begin scaling back its support.

The outlet writes that Starmer will also discuss what security guarantees the United Kingdom can offer Kyiv, including the possibility of British troops joining post-war peacekeeping forces.

Ahead of his visit to Kyiv, the British Prime Minister called Russian leader Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine a "monumental failure," the Independent reports.

He added that Putin's ambitions to separate Ukraine from its closest partners had been a significant failure, and instead, Ukraine was now closer than ever to its allies. He emphasized that this partnership would elevate their friendship to a new level.

• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to visit Kyiv in the coming weeks to discuss the possibility of deploying an international peacekeeping force in Ukraine after the end of hostilities.