Starmer tells Zelensky: You have Britain’s ‘cast-iron’ support

Sir Keir Starmer has arrived in Ukraine for the final time as Prime Minister to reassure Volodymyr Zelensky of Britain’s “cast-iron support” for Kyiv.

The Labour leader will meet the Ukrainian president on Thursday, days before he is succeeded by Andy Burnham.

He travelled into the country via an overnight train, arriving at a Kyiv train station hours after Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital.

Before his visit, Sir Keir said: “As we showed at the G7 and Nato summits in recent weeks, the UK and its allies are absolutely united against Russian aggression.

“I am so proud of what Britain has contributed. That work will continue, and our cast-iron support for Ukraine will always endure.

“Not just for them and for European security, but for families in Britain who have felt the cost of this war through rising prices.”

Paying tribute to Ukraine, Sir Keir said: “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. When I became Prime Minister, I knew the UK must not simply stand with Ukraine in the moment, but help build the foundations of its long-term security and success.”