Sir Keir Starmer has met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy today as he made his first visit to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion last February.
The Labour leader‘s arrival in Kyiv comes just over a week after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise trip to London to meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and King Charles.
Sir Keir told reporters that it is “very important” for him to be in Ukraine “making clear that support for Ukraine in the United Kingdom is united”.
“It is incredible to see the evidence of atrocities that I have seen this morning,” the Labour leader said.
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“Photos of civilians in the outskirts of Kyiv blindfolded and with their arms behind their back, shot in the head.
“Evidence here of residential blocks that were targeted, and families affected so deeply by this.
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“And it is very important for me to be here in Ukraine with the people of Ukraine making clear that support for Ukraine in the United Kingdom is united.
“Making it absolutely clear that should there be an election next year and a change of government, the position on Ukraine will remain the same.
“But, also, not just showing our support for the conflict – which of course we must show – but also joining with them in their cause for justice.
“There has to be justice for this. There has to be justice in The Hague and proper reparation in the rebuilding of Ukraine.”
Asked whether Labour will continue to support Ukraine in the conflict if his party were to win the next general election, Sir Keir continued: “So throughout the conflict the Labour Party has stood untied with the government in the United Kingdom to show our support for Ukraine.
“And we will have an election next year and there may well be a change of government. And I am here to talk to President Zelenskyy later on, to talk to the people of Ukraine and make it absolutely clear that, should there be a change of government next year in a general election, there will be no change of support for Ukraine – both during the conflict and in the cause for justice which is going to be so desperately needed afterwards.”
During Mr Zelenskyy’s visit to London, the UK government announced the country will now train pilots on the operation of NATO-standard fighter jets as well as marines alongside expanding the training of Ukrainian recruits from 10,000 to 20,000 soldiers this year.
It had been reported over the summer that Sir Keir had approached the Ukrainian president about the possibility of a visit as opposition leader.
The trip comes as the Labour leader looks to strengthen his relations with the Ukrainian government as the fight against Russia nears its one-year anniversary.
Sir Keir has previously visited the Polish border and troops in Estonia where he affirmed Labour’s “unshakeable” commitment to NATO.
The prime minister made a surprise visit to Kyiv back in November in his first trip to Ukraine since taking office.
Mr Sunak pledged that UK support for Ukraine in the fight against Russia would remain steadfast.
President Zelenskyy praised the “meaningful and useful visit for both our countries”.
