Sir Keir Starmer says there are “unbreakable bonds” between the UK and Ukraine – as they today signed a 100-year deal.
Convention This comes ahead of possible peace talks between Kyiv and Russia.
US President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring both sides around the table “very quickly” once he returns to the Oval Office.
He warned his new team that “it is not realistic to say that we will expel every Russian from every inch of Ukrainian territory.”
But President Volodymyr Zelensky is seeking security guarantees such as NATO membership before agreeing to enter negotiations.
The Kremlin says it is open to holding a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Trump.
The Prime Minister, who is making his first trip to Kiev since entering No 10, is likely to face questions today over whether British forces will be involved in monitoring any peace deal.
But its main focus will be revealing 100 Year of the partnership to rebuild Ukraine with the help of British companies and private sector loans.
The UK is the Kiev government's “partner of choice” in rebuilding its crippled energy system Mining Important minerals and green steel production.
The deal will also see coordination in monitoring the Baltic Sea, Sea of Azov and the Black Sea from Russia, as well as developing drones and space technology together.
The UK has so far provided £12.8 billion in support Ukraineincluding £7.8 billion in military aid.
The Prime Minister said: “Putin’s ambition to alienate Ukraine from its closest partners has been a colossal strategic failure.
“Instead, we are closer than ever, and this partnership will do just that Take that friendship for the next level.”
Sir Keir's trip includes meeting school students and visiting NHS specialist burn doctors who are training their Ukrainian counterparts.
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Biggest hit ever for Vlad
Written by Nick Parker
Russia launched an angry campaign to cut off electricity yesterday in response to Ukraine's largest air strike on its territory.
Explosions and power outages rocked six regions of Ukraine.
This came after British Storm Shadow and American ATAX missiles struck deep in Russia.
Tuesday's unprecedented Ukrainian attack on its neighbor targeted oil, chemical and ammunition factories.
Vladimir Putin's forces responded by firing cruise missiles at critical infrastructure.
The two sides are believed to be intensifying their attacks ahead of expected US peace moves when President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Monday.
