Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer travelled to Kyiv on Thursday for a farewell visit, using his last overseas trip in office to reaffirm Britain's long-term commitment to Ukraine before handing over power to his successor, Andy Burnham, next week.
Starmer is scheduled to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where he is expected to stress that the United Kingdom's support for Ukraine will remain steadfast after Burnham takes office on Monday. “Our cast-iron support for Ukraine will always endure,” Starmer said in a statement released ahead of the visit. “Throughout this conflict, I have seen the incredible fortitude of the Ukrainian people and the iron will of a nation that refuses to be cowed. Their stand has not only defended its own freedom, it has preserved the security of Europe.”
A Farewell Marked by Strategic Moves
The trip comes just days after Britain joined the European Union's €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, a move that grants British defence companies access to contracts funded by the EU programme. In return, London will cover a share of €3 billion in annual interest costs, depending on how much its firms benefit. The agreement has been hailed in Brussels as an important step in strengthening Europe's collective support for Kyiv.
Starmer announced his resignation last month after losing the confidence of his own Labour Party following a series of domestic policy U-turns. While his standing at home declined, he retained strong international backing for his stance on Ukraine, NATO, and his efforts to rebuild relations with Europe after Brexit. His departure has prompted Brussels to postpone plans for a UK-EU summit that had been scheduled for 22 July. London hopes to resume talks led by its new prime minister after the summer.
Alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Starmer has been one of Europe's leading advocates for Ukraine, helping establish the UK-France-led “Coalition of the Willing,” which has drawn together more than 30 countries to plan long-term security guarantees and a potential multinational peacekeeping force should a peace agreement with Russia be reached. This coalition is part of broader European efforts to bolster Ukraine's defences, including recent developments such as the EU and Ukraine signing a joint drone production deal to boost defence capabilities.
Burnham will formally become leader of the governing Labour Party on Friday before being appointed prime minister by King Charles III on Monday. He will become the UK's fifth prime minister since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The transition comes at a critical time for European security, with ongoing discussions about negotiations as Ukraine gains a military edge and the need for sustained international support.
Starmer's final visit underscores the enduring nature of UK-Ukraine ties, even as domestic political changes unfold. His message to Kyiv is clear: Britain's commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and Europe's security will outlast any single leader.
