Starmer visits Kyiv on final trip, pledges enduring UK support for Ukraine

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Kyiv on Thursday for a farewell visit, using his final overseas trip in office to reaffirm long-term support for Ukraine ahead of his departure next week. During the visit, he announced €300 million ($345 million) to help Ukraine purchase 16 Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets, including pilot training, simulators, and spare parts Source: dwnews.

Visit and pledges

Starmer emphasised that "our cast-iron support for Ukraine will always endure," a message echoed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said Ukraine values the UK's backing "immensely." Source: bbc The UK has also joined the EU's €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, granting British defence companies access to EU-funded contracts Source: euronewsen. During a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, Starmer received France's highest honor, the Legion d'honneur, becoming the first serving UK PM to do so Source: bbc.

Domestic legacies

On his last full day as Labour leader, Starmer nationalised British Steel, calling it "part of the fabric of our nation" Source: theguardian. The steel was previously owned by China's Jingye and had been under public control.

Political transition

Starmer will step down as Labour leader on Friday, with Andy Burnham set to become prime minister on Monday. Burnham will be the UK's fifth PM since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion Source: euronewsen. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov was dismissed on the eve of Starmer's visit, having overseen a dramatic improvement in Ukraine's battlefield position .