Lord David Cameron has visited Ukraine in his first overseas trip as Foreign Secretary, vowing to continue UK support “for however long it takes”.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted a video of the pair meeting in Kyiv and said: “We had a good meeting focused on weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defence, and protecting our people and critical infrastructure.
“I am grateful to the UK for its support!”
The visit comes amid the Israel-Hamas conflict that Mr Zelensky said had drawn global attention away from Ukraine's war with Russia, which is now in its 21st month with no end in sight.
"The world is not so focused on the battlefield situation in Ukraine, and this dividing of the focus really does not help," he said.
As he was welcomed by Mr Zelensky in the video, Lord Cameron said it was “an enormous honour to meet you on my very first visit as foreign secretary”.
“I admire the strength and determination of the Ukrainian people,” he said, vowing to extend Britain’s moral, diplomatic and economic support, “but above all the military support that you need ... for however long it takes”.
Hosted @David_Cameron on his first visit to Ukraine as Foreign Secretary of the UK.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 16, 2023
We had a good meeting focused on weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defense, and protecting our people and critical infrastructure.
I am grateful to the UK for its support!
🇺🇦🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/zElLHsSaQT
He added that he had known former PM Boris Johnson for four decades and had had his disagreements with the Brexit figureheard. But his support for Ukraine was “the finest thing” and would continue.
Lord Cameron added: “Russia thinks it can wait this war out, and that the West will eventually turn its attention elsewhere. This could not be further from the truth. In my first discussions with President Zelenskyy in my new role, I made clear that the UK and our partners will support Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes for them to achieve victory.
“As winter approaches, we continue to stand with the Ukrainian people as they resist Putin’s illegal invasion. In the last three months, they have pushed Russia back in the Black Sea and are opening vital sea trade routes for the Ukrainian economy and global food supplies.”
James Cleverly confirmed he was meant to be doing the visit before he was moved from the Foreign Office to become Home Secretary in this week's Cabinet reshuffle.
"I know that David's head is absolutely in the right place," he said on LBC after briefing his successor. "The Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, the Defence Secretary, myself, the whole of government, are absolutely committed to supporting them in their self defence," Mr Cleverly added. The Ukrainian statement did not say exactly when the talks took place. Strict security measures in place because of the war mean details of visits by foreign dignitaries are sometimes released only some time after they have happened.
