Today, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Kyiv to sign a new ‘land-mark 100-year partnership’ with Ukraine.
It marks the first visit by Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, 6 months after he took office in July, and serves as a significant show of support for the country as the world anticipates Donald Trump’s return to office in the coming days.
Due to uncertainty about how Trump’s presidency may impact the conflict and peace resolution between Russia and Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky is seeking to reaffirm security guarantees from key European allies as well as enhance other areas of cooperation to support Ukraine post-conflict.
The 100-year partnership is a unique deal, as not only will it bolster military collaboration with a focus on maritime security in the Baltic, Black and Azov Sea, but it will also improve cooperation in other areas. Downing Street highlights that the Treaty will also focus on Technology and Science partnerships, in areas such as healthcare, agri-tech and space as well as education. The UK will also seek to introduce a Grain Verification Scheme to track stolen grain from occupied territories.
With the Treaty expected to pass through parliament in the coming weeks, it is a sign of Starmer’s ongoing support for Ukraine and a strengthening relationship between the two countries amid the challenges Ukraine is expected to face going into 2025.
Sir Keir Starmer highlighted this as he made his way to the country: “Putin’s ambition to wrench Ukraine away from its closest partners has been a monumental strategic failure. Instead, we are closer than ever, and this partnership will take that friendship to the next level.”
Starmer also noted the need for long-term support for Ukraine: “The power of our long-term friendships cannot be underestimated. Supporting Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s barbaric invasion and rebuild a prosperous, sovereign future, is vital to this government’s foundation of security and our plan for change”
A special relationship forming in education and health
Latest data shows that since the start of the conflict and the introduction of the ‘Family Scheme and Homes for Ukraine Scheme’ that 20,500 school places have been offered to Ukrainian students across UK primary and Secondary Schools. For students across the UK it has become common to find Ukrainian students in class and even at home providing opportunities for cultural exchange and fostering relationships between youngsters.
With the new 100-year partnership, the government is seeking to take that further with 100 schools in the UK and Ukraine being partnered over the coming months as part of a programme encouraging reading for pleasure. It hopes to see students sharing stories from their own culture, diversifying the curriculum and forging ties for generations to come.
Whilst visiting Ukraine, the Prime Minister is expected to visit a Ukrainian hospital impacted by Russian bombardment to see how £100 million of UK humanitarian funding is supporting the medical infrastructure across Ukraine. The PM will also see how specialist medical care and NHS doctors are supporting and upskilling Ukrainian medical teams to help burn victims, severely injured patients and provide lifesaving opinions on treatment.
How is the partnership helping Ukraine to recover?
A new £40 million economic recovery programme has been announced with hopes that it will help to unlock millions of pounds worth of private lending to bolster economic growth of small and medium businesses across the country.
The programme will also provide opportunities for UK companies to support growth across sectors in Ukraine improving trade and investment between the two countries. The funding will primarily target businesses supporting the green economy, women, veterans and marginalised groups who have all been impacted by the conflict.
The TIGER programme (Triggering Investment Growth and Economic Resilience) aims to reduce the reliance on humanitarian support by providing long-term opportunities and economic resilience for businesses and communities across Ukraine and is a key part of the renewed support for Ukraine.
What is the Grain Verification Scheme and why has it been introduced?
Following calls from Ukraine to the G7 to introduce a scheme that will help track stolen grain from Ukrainian fields and prevent it from being sold on, a new Grain Verification Scheme will be introduced.
The UK has developed a database which will help identify areas where grains have been grown and harvested. Created through cutting-edge science, the database will be handed to Ukraine in the coming weeks to support Ukraine in combating this issue and enhance food security as Ukraine is a major grain supplier to countries around the world.
Starmer’s visit builds on the legacy of continued UK support for Ukraine as well as the £12.8 billion support package which includes £7.8bn of military assistance and a commitment for £3bn in military aid for as long as it is required.
As of today, following the meeting between the two leaders, Starmer confirmed that additional support would include 150 artillery barrels and a new mobile air defence system.
The partnership highlights a bolstered support plan for Ukraine, expanding on the military support the UK has already provided but also seeks to enhance cooperation in other key areas such as education and healthcare. Starmer’s visit to the country coincides with growing uncertainty surrounding Trump’s upcoming inauguration and its potential impact on the Ukraine-Russia peace process. Starmer aims to reaffirm the UK’s commitment as a key partner to Ukraine, pledging support in critical areas as the nation rebuilds from the conflict.