Eliot Wilson Eliot Wilson

Starmer’s support for Ukraine has become half-hearted at best

Keir Starmer with Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv (Credit: Getty images)

Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Kyiv this morning. He came by train, crossing the border from Poland, since air travel into the Ukrainian capital is now unacceptably hazardous. Perhaps he regards this visit as a respite after the week’s event so far at Westminster.

The Prime Minister arrived to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky bearing gifts. The centrepiece is an extensive 100-year partnership agreement between the United Kingdom and Ukraine, covering nine ‘pillars’ from culture and education through science, technology and healthcare to security and military assistance. This is intended to be a significant and enduring relationship.

Since the general election, however, the support has seemed to some to have wavered

‘This is not just about the here and now,’ Starmer told the media. ‘It is also about an investment in our two countries for the next century… we are closer than ever, and this partnership will take that friendship to the next level.

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