Britain’s prime minister and Ukraine’s president signed a landmark 100-year partnership agreement on Thursday (16/1) to deepen security ties and strengthen their countries’ relations.
“Today is indeed a historic day, our relations are closer than ever,” Zelensky told reporters after the agreement was signed.
Seizing the opportunity, Starmer said his government would send a new mobile air defense system “developed to meet the needs of Ukraine”.
Keir Starmer’s visit to the presidential palace in Kiev was greeted with a message from Russia when a drone flew within striking distance.
The attacks at the time of signings
The sound of anti-aircraft fire rang out in the palace courtyard as sirens warned of possible drone attacks. This is a daily occurrence in Ukraine.
although eyewitnesses believe at least two drones were operating and suspect they were probably surveillance drones, as the one shot down did not explode on impact.
Zelensky made a reference to the event saying “We will greet them too”.
For his part, Starmer said the drone threat was “a reminder of what Ukraine faces every day” and that the war was caused by “Russian aggression”.
This was Starmer’s first visit to Kiev since his election victory last July.
Before the meeting, the British prime minister had said his country would give Ukraine the help it needs to be in the strongest possible position to fight Russia in 2025, Starmer said before his meeting with Zelensky during his first visit to Kiev since taking office in July.
Zelensky: Without us, Europe has no chance against Russia
At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Europe that it has “no chance” against Russia without Ukraine.
Speaking to Polish media outlet Onet, Zelenskiy said Ukraine’s victory was vital to stopping the Kremlin before it invaded the rest of Europe.
over with the Russian army, because it is greater in numbers. Russia has more weapons, more people and is tougher than the Europeans,” he said.
“Without the Ukrainian army, Europe unfortunately has no chance against Russia today. Putin knows this and talks about it in his circle,” added Zelensky. “Therefore, if Ukraine does not defend itself, it will move quickly. This is a fact. I am absolutely convinced of that.”
Since the start of the war at least 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and 370,000 wounded repelling Moscow’s advance, according to official Ukrainian figures released last month, compared with 600,000 dead and wounded reported in Russia.
The US position
At the same time, European officials who spoke to Bloomberg reported that Trump while continuing US military support to Ukraine. It is recalled that the candidate of the US president-elect for the post of special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, said on Fox News last week that he would like to find a solution within the first 100 days of the Trump administration.
