British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived on an unannounced visit to the Ukrainian capital Kiev. Starmer is expected to sign a wide-ranging "100-year partnership" treaty covering a number of areas including defence, energy and trade, the Kyiv Independent reported.
Starmer's visit is only his second trip to the Ukrainian capital and first since he was elected prime minister in July 2024.
"It's not just about the here and now, it's also about investing in our two countries for the next century, bringing together technological development, scientific excellence and cultural exchange, and harnessing the phenomenal innovation shown by Ukraine in recent years for generations to come," the prime minister said in a press release about the treaty.
The agreement aims to strengthen maritime military cooperation between the two countries to strengthen security in the Baltic, Black and Azov seas.
It will also promote scientific and technological partnerships in the fields of health, agriculture, space and unmanned aerial vehicles. London will launch a new grain inspection scheme to track grain looted by Russia in the occupied territories.
Starmer's visit to Ukraine comes as the UK continues to discuss the potential deployment of an international peacekeeping force in Ukraine ahead of potential peace talks. | BGNES
