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'UNBREAKABLE BONDS'
Keir Starmer to sign historic 100-YEAR pact with Ukraine as he arrives in Kyiv for crunch talks with Zelensky
The PM is making his first trip to Kyiv since entering No 10
SIR Keir Starmer says there are “unbreakable bonds” between the UK and Ukraine — as they sign a 100-year deal today.
The PM was pictured arriving at Kyiv train station this morning to rubber-stamp the pact ahead of potential peace talks between Kyiv and Russia.
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US President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to get the two sides around the table “very quickly” once he is back in the Oval Office.
His incoming team have warned it is not “realistic to say we’re going to expel every Russian from every inch of Ukrainian soil”.
But President Volodymyr Zelensky is seeking security guarantees such as Nato membership before agreeing to enter negotiations.
The Kremlin says it is open to a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Trump.
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The PM, making his first trip to Kyiv since entering No 10, will today likely face questions over whether British troops will be involved in policing any peace deal.
But his main focus will be revealing the 100 Year Partnership to rebuild Ukraine with the aid of British firms and private sector loans.
The UK is “preferred partner” for the Kyiv government to rebuild its crippled energy system as well as mining critical minerals and producing greener steel.
The deal will also see coordination in policing the Baltic Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea from Russia, as well as developing drone and space tech together.
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The UK has so far provided £12.8billion in support to Ukraine, including £7.8billion of military assistance.
Zelensky has previously told how he wants to join Nato and have allies send peacekeepers to the country if fighting stops to patrol the current frontline, which could become a buffer zone.
Zelensky 'prepared to end Ukraine War in exchange for Nato status' - even if Russia 'doesn't immediately give back land'
The war-time leader said he will discuss his hopes for security guarantees to deter future attacks with Sir Keir.
Sir Keir said: “Putin’s ambition to wrench Ukraine away from its closest partners has been a monumental strategic failure.
“Instead, we are closer than ever, and this partnership will take that friendship to the next level.”
It is the PM's first visit to Ukraine since he took office six months ago as he pledges long-term support against Russia's "illegal and barbaric invasion".
Sir Keir visited wounded Ukrainians at a Kyiv hospital today, specialising in treating burns.
The Sun today revealed NHS doctors and nurses are being secretly deployed to Ukraine to help save victims of Putin's missiles with up to 80 per cent burns.
UK surgeons and other burns experts have been covertly flown into the Ukrainian capital on secondments to share best practice and tackle infections.
While the majority of patients were military casualties, a number in intensive care were civilian victims of missile and drone attacks on their homes.
Sir Keir met two patients on a rehabilitation ward that receives support from the British Red Cross.
The PM said the injuries he saw at the hospital were “a grim reminder of the heavy price that Ukraine is paying”.
A civilian patient from Kyiv, who has burns across both hands and arms, warned Sir Keir: "If Ukraine falls, so does Europe."
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It comes after The Sun revealed how Brits want Starmer to stand by Ukraine even if Trump waters down US support.
A poll showed Brits want to see Putin’s Russia beaten and do not want the UK to back a peace deal that is bad for Zelensky’s nation.
It comes amid fears that president-elect Trump will pull American military aid to Ukraine.
He wants to end the Ukraine war “within a day” but this could mean pressuring Zelensky to give up territory.
Marco Rubio, Trump's choice to become secretary of state, this week said both countries would have to make concessions to end the war.
Putin's invasion is on the cusp of reaching the grim three-year milestone.
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On Tuesday, Ukraine launched its biggest-ever missile strike and drone blitz in a "triple-tap" attack to unleash hell on Russia.
Multiple key targets across Russian territory - including one up to 680 miles behind enemy lines - were blown up by Kyiv's "massive" aerial strikes.
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Biggest ever hit on Vlad
By Nick Parker, Foreign Editor
RUSSIA launched a furious blackout blitz yesterday in response to Ukraine’s biggest-ever strike on its territory.
Six Ukraine regions were rocked by blasts and power outages.
It came after British Storm Shadow missiles and US Atacms hit deep inside Russia.
Tuesday’s unprecedented Ukrainian attack on its neighbour targeted oil, chemical and ammunition plants.
Vladimir Putin’s forces hit back, firing cruise missiles at critical infrastructure.
Both sides were believed to be stepping up attacks ahead of expected US peace moves when President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Monday.
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