The United Kingdom and Ukraine have signed a “100 Year Partnership” agreement, with the U.K. investing heavily in Ukraine's military infrastructure.
The partnership reaffirms the U.K.’s support for Ukraine joining NATO and commits to collaboration on defence and maritime security, as well as strengthening economic and cultural ties. The agreement was signed in Kyiv, during U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s first visit to Ukraine since taking office.
“The Parties shall deepen defence cooperation, strengthen their military and defence industrial capabilities, including force development and collaboration between their defence industrial bases, strengthen Ukraine’s defence procurement, and transfer technologies for joint production of defence products,” the agreement said.
The U.K. and Ukraine will establish a maritime security partnership under the agreement, with efforts focussed on the Baltic, Black, and Azov seas.
The countries are considering options for building defence infrastructure in Ukraine under the agreement that could include military bases and supply depots, according to the Kyiv Post.
While the U.K. has not deployed any troops to Ukraine, Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are reportedly discussing sending peacekeeping troops after a ceasefire is reached.
The U.K. has sent UK£12.8 billion (A$25.2 billion) in aid to Ukraine since Russia began its invasion in 2022. The U.K. has said it will send an additional £3 billion each year.
Ukraine and the U.K. will also work to improve investment and trade conditions in both countries. The countries will cooperate on sanctions, foreign disinformation, migration, and technology development.
“Relations between Ukraine and the U.K. are now closer than ever, and some of the things we included in the One Hundred Year Partnership Agreement with the U.K. can definitely be replicated with other countries,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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