London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at a high-profile meeting with his top ministers. The visit underscores the UK’s ongoing support for Ukraine and will feature the introduction of a new initiative aimed at disrupting Russia’s evasion of shipping sanctions.
Starmer is continuing his push to enhance Britain’s international influence by inviting Zelenskiy to address his cabinet following a European leaders forum at Blenheim Palace. The last foreign leader to do so was U.S. President Bill Clinton in 1997, according to Starmer’s office.
New sanctions initiative
Zelenskiy is set to launch ‘call to action’ against Russia’s fleet of 600 oil tankers, known as the ‘shadow fleet,” which are used to bypass sanctions. Starmer will assure the Ukrainian leader that Britain will intensify efforts to weaken Russia’s ‘war machine,’ including a new defence export support treaty to help Kyiv access export finance.
“Ukraine is, and always will be, at the heart of this government’s agenda, and so it is only fitting that President Zelenskiy will make a historic address to my cabinet,” Starmer stated. The British Prime Minister added that, “Alongside our European partners, we have sent a clear message to those enabling [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s attempts to evade sanctions: we will not allow Russia’s shadow fleet and the dirty money it generates to flow freely through European waters and put our security at risk.”
Ongoing UK support
The UK government has announced sanctions on 11 vessels used to transport Russian oil. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Britain has been a strong supporter of Ukraine. After his recent election victory, Starmer reaffirmed London’s commitment to Kyiv, telling Zelenskiy at NATO that while the government had changed, the approach to Ukraine had not.
The new measures against Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ include plans to share data on the network of older tankers used to ship Russian oil, enabling identification and action against these vessels.
Defence Export Support Treaty
The Defence Export Support Treaty, set to be signed by defence ministers, will provide Ukraine with access to £3.5 billion ($4.5 billion) of export finance, enhancing both the UK and Ukraine’s defence industries and boosting production.
Starmer also recommitted to Sunak’s pledge to deliver £3 billion annually in military support to Ukraine until at least 2030-31 and beyond if needed, at the NATO summit.
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