Ukraine signs 100-year agreement with UK. London to transfer air defense system
Ukraine and the United Kingdom have signed a 100-year agreement covering military cooperation, partnership in the energy sector and other areas.
The agreement was signed following a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrinform and RBC-Ukraine report.
This document will deepen bilateral relations in the defense sector and provides for further military assistance to Kyiv.
Starmer said that the UK will deliver a new mobile air defense system to Ukraine in 2025, funded by Denmark. According to him, this system will be “developed to meet Ukraine’s needs,” the Guardian quotes him as saying.
He also said Britain would continue training Ukrainian soldiers. Over the three years of full-scale war, more than 50,000 Ukrainian soldiers have already been trained in the UK.
The British government has revealed details of the agreement with Ukraine on its website. The document will strengthen military cooperation in the area of strengthening the security of the Baltic, Black and Azov seas. A "new framework" will be created for this purpose.
In addition, the agreement will help bring together experts from Ukraine and the UK to develop scientific and technical partnerships in healthcare and disease control, agrotechnology, space and drones, as well as "building lifelong friendships through classroom projects."
Also, the UK will launch a new grain verification scheme to track grain stolen by Russia from occupied Ukrainian territories.
Subsequently, the Office of the Ukrainian President published the text of the agreement, the articles of which provide as follows:
- strengthening defense capabilities;
- strengthening security and building consensus on Ukraine’s NATO membership;
- building a partnership in the field of maritime security;
- increasing economic and trade cooperation;
- strengthening energy, climate, and clean energy transition cooperation;
- increasing justice and accountability cooperation;
- combating foreign information manipulation and interference;
- boosting positions as leaders in science, technology, and innovation;
- harnessing socio-cultural ties;
- migration cooperation.
Zelenskyy's meeting with Starmer
Today, January 16, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This is his first trip to Ukraine since taking office.
Media reports said the two countries would sign a "100-year partnership" agreement covering areas such as defense, science, energy, and trade.
In addition, Starmer will discuss what security guarantees the United Kingdom can offer Kyiv, including the possibility of British troops joining a post-war peacekeeping force.
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