On July 5, the Labour Party celebrated victory as their leader Keir Starmer officially became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. This event took place after the resignation of Rishi Sunak and an audience with King Charles III. So, who is Keir Starmer and what is his stance on Ukraine?
Who is Keir Starmer?
Keir Starmer is a renowned British politician and lawyer. He was born on September 2, 1962, in Southwark. He studied law initially at Leeds University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree, and then continued his studies at Oxford, earning a Bachelor of Civil Law degree at St Edmund Hall. In 2002, he was first appointed Queen’s Counsel. From 2016 to 2020, he held the position of Shadow Secretary for Exiting the European Union, and in July 2017, he was sworn into the Privy Council of the United Kingdom.
Political Path
After the catastrophic defeat of the Labour Party in the parliamentary elections, political analysts predicted that Keir Starmer would become the new leader of the party. And they were right. Thanks to his efforts and leadership, the Labour Party won the 2024 parliamentary elections for the first time in the last 14 years.
Attitude towards Ukraine
The new British leader has always supported the Ukrainian people in their fight against Russian encroachment. In February 2023, Keir Starmer made an unannounced visit to Ukraine, where he visited Bucha – one of the main sites of Russian war crimes. He was impressed by what he saw and emphasized the need for justice in The Hague and reparations for the restoration of Ukraine.
During the same visit, Starmer had his first official meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. They discussed the current situation on the battlefield, the strengthening of sanctions against Russia, and the confiscation of Russian assets for the recovery of Ukraine. Starmer assured Zelensky that Ukraine can always count on the “unwavering support” of the Labour Party.
Keir Starmer is a new force in British politics, and his dedication to Ukraine gives hope for further support and cooperation between our countries.
