- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet the PM in
Downing Street on Thursday as part of his first visit to the UK
- The PM and President Zelenskyy will sign a landmark Strategic
Partnership Agreement which paves the way for stronger
cooperation between the UK and Ukraine
- The UK has been outspoken in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty
in the face of Russia’s destabilising behaviour
The relationship between the UK and Ukraine will be intensified
following a new Political, Trade and Strategic Partnership
Agreement, to be signed today (Thursday) in Downing Street by the
Prime Minister and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
President Zelenskyy is on a two-day visit to the UK which has
included a tour of the Prince of Wales Carrier in Portsmouth and
discussions on trade, defence and regional security.
The UK has been a staunch defender of Ukraine’s right to
self-determination, particularly since the illegal annexation of
Crimea by Russia in 2014.
Under the MoD’s Operation Orbital, established in 2015, British
troops have trained over 18,000 members of Ukraine’s armed forces
and the UK will soon lead a multi-national Maritime Training
Initiative for the Ukrainian Navy.
This year, the UK has allocated over £40m in funding to Ukraine,
including a significant increase in our stabilisation support and
£5m in humanitarian aid. This assistance is going towards those
communities facing Russian intimidation in both government and
non-government controlled areas, and helping Ukraine achieve a
more stable and prosperous future. The funding goes hand in hand
with the political support the UK has given to President
Zelenskyy’s efforts to achieve peace in the Donbas.
The Strategic Partnership Agreement the Prime Minister and
President Zelenskyy will sign today builds on the current
UK-Ukraine relationship in areas including trade, defence and
political cooperation. It formalises the UK’s ongoing commitment
to upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
Ukraine.
Prime Minister said:
“The UK is Ukraine’s most fervent supporter. Whether it’s our
defence support, stabilisation efforts, humanitarian assistance
or close cooperation on political issues, our message is clear:
we are utterly committed to upholding the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of Ukraine.
“The Strategic Partnership Agreement we are signing today signals
the next chapter in our relationship. It’s a chapter that will
bring increased security and prosperity for both the people of
the UK and Ukraine.”
The UK-Ukraine Agreement includes a comprehensive preferential
free trade agreement covering goods, services, and tariffs and
quotas. This rolls over and builds upon the provisions of the
current EU-Ukraine Agreement, to ensure that trade between the UK
and Ukraine continues smoothly at the end of the transition
period.
Trade between the UK and Ukraine is already worth £1.5bn per
year. This week the Prime Minister appointed as the first
Trade Envoy to Ukraine to enhance this relationship.
The Strategic Partnership Agreement also details commitments to
cooperate on peaceful conflict resolution, defence and security,
climate change and human rights.
