Starmer on final trip to Ukraine as PM pledges UK's 'cast-iron' support

Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK's "cast-iron" support for Ukraine will continue, as he makes a final trip to the country as prime minister.

He will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the capital Kyiv later on Thursday, ahead of Andy Burnham's installation as Labour leader and PM.

In comments ahead of his trip, Sir Keir said the "fortitude" of the Ukrainian people since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 had "preserved the security of Europe".

In his statement, Sir Keir highlighted Britain's contribution to the Ukrainian war effort during his two years in Downing Street.

It has seen the signing of a 100-year partnership between the two countries, aimed at fostering closer defence and trade ties, and the PM leading efforts to establish a future peacekeeping force.

"When I became prime minister, I knew the UK must not simply stand with Ukraine in the moment, but help build the foundations of its long-term security and success," Sir Keir said.

He said the UK had invested more in defence, as well as "leading the way in the war fighting technologies of the future".

Sir Keir added: "And we have brought others with us on that journey. As we showed at the G7 and Nato summits, in recent weeks, the UK and its allies are absolutely united against Russian aggression."

Speaking at the Nato summit in Turkey last week, Zelensky urged allies to focus on air defence systems in the face of intense Russian strikes.

The Ukrainian leader was later granted permission to produce Patriot missiles by US President Donald Trump, which could help defend Kyiv against Russia's ballistic missile attacks.

The first of 150 British-made, artillery barrels are being provided to Ukraine to strengthen their defence under a £61m contract with BAE Systems.

"I am so proud of what Britain has contributed. That work will continue, and our cast-iron support for Ukraine will always endure," Sir Keir added in his statement.

The visit comes as Russia continues to target the port of Odesa, where the Kremlin said it hit port infrastructure, "used for the unloading of petroleum, oil, and lubricants".

Eight people were killed following Russian attacks on Black Sea oil tankers.

During Sir Keir's final Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday, he was praised by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for his work on Ukraine and his friendship with Zelensky.

While bidding farewell to MPs, Sir Keir fondly recalled the "emotional moment" when he had welcomed Zelensky to Downing Street in the days after his White House bust-up with US President Donald Trump in February 2025.

"I had a meeting with him to tell him that in this country we will stand with him and Ukraine," he said.

Sir Keir's successor Burnham will become Labour Party leader on Friday, and is expected to take over as prime minister on Monday.