UK, Ukraine leaders sign ‘landmark’ 100-year agreement

BBC:

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised to work with Ukraine and its allies to offer Kyiv robust security guarantees if a ceasefire is negotiated with Russia in a display of support days before United States President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House.

Starmer met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday and offered more support with a “100-year partnership” agreement.

On his first visit to Ukraine since becoming prime minister in July, Starmer hailed a “closer than ever” relationship between the two countries.

Trump, who will take office on Monday, has frequently promised to end the nearly three-year war in Ukraine. He has floated proposals that include ceding large parts of Ukraine to Russia.

For his part, Starmer said any deal to end the fighting must “guarantee” Ukraine’s security and independence.

Zelenskyy recently urged Western nations “not to drop the ball” and to maintain long-term military support to Ukraine. He hailed Thursday’s deal as “truly historic”.

Britain has been one of Ukraine’s biggest military backers, pledging 12.8 billion pounds ($16bn) in military and civilian aid since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.