Keir Starmer nationalised British Steel and flew to Kyiv to pledge £255m in military aid on his final day as prime minister, as protests erupted in Ukrainian cities over the surprise dismissal of the country’s popular defence minister.
In one of his last acts as premier, Starmer brought British Steel into public ownership to protect “the future of steel production” in the UK, particularly at the Scunthorpe steelworks. The government said the now-former Chinese owners, Jingye, may not receive any compensation because the company had been running at a loss for some time.
“Starmer nationalises British Steel and pledges £255m to Ukraine on final day as PM amid protests over defence minister's sacking.”
Hours later, in the Ukrainian capital, Starmer met President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce new funding worth £255m (€300m), including 16 advanced aircraft, for Ukraine’s fight against Russia. “Anyone who thinks that Ukraine is somehow a drain is just plain wrong – the truth is Ukraine’s stand has preserved European security,” he said.
The outgoing Labour leader was awarded Ukraine’s Order of Freedom, but his visit came against a backdrop of protests in several Ukrainian cities over Zelensky’s decision to fire Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The 35-year-old was credited with bringing tech-startup vigour to the war effort, prioritising drone warfare and innovation, and shaking up the military procurement system. He had cultivated relationships with Silicon Valley executives, including Palantir’s Alex Karp and Elon Musk, whom he is said to have persuaded to cut off Russia’s access to Starlink.
Zelensky has not explained his decision to dismiss Fedorov, who was appointed in January. Ukrainian MPs are expected to vote on Thursday for Ihor Klymenko, currently interior minister, as his replacement. The reshuffle is Zelensky’s third since the start of the full-scale war. Earlier this week he replaced Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, viewed as a protégé of former chief of staff Andriy Yermak (who stepped down in November after corruption allegations he denies), with Sergii Koretskyi, the former head of state gas company Naftogaz, a well-regarded technocrat with energy sector experience.
Today was Starmer’s final day as Labour leader – Andy Burnham will replace him on Friday before becoming prime minister on Monday. Asked whether Burnham would maintain the UK’s steadfast support, Starmer said: “The fact that there’ll be a new prime minister in days to come doesn’t change that dynamic at all. The resolve of the UK will remain the same – we will not waver.” His legacy includes a 100-year partnership with Ukraine aimed at closer defence and trade ties, and efforts to establish a future peacekeeping force. “Your fight is our fight, your security is our security, and the UK will not waver,” he told Zelensky.
Zelensky acknowledged fears about leadership changes in Britain and France, but said: “The priority is the relation between nations, not just between people. I’m sure that these relations will not change.”