The Daily Dazzling Dawn

United Kingdom | Ukraine |

Starmer Pledges UK Support for Ukraine on Independence Anniversary

by DD Desk

August 24, 2024

Starmer Pledges UK Support for Ukraine on Independence Anniversary

key takeaways

Starmer Reaffirms UK Support for Ukraine on Independence Day

At Kyiv's 33rd anniversary of declaring independence from the Soviet Union, Keir Starmer has assured Ukrainians that the UK is standing with them "today and always."

As parishes, community organisations, and municipalities around the United Kingdom prepare to commemorate the anniversary on Saturday, the prime minister characterised his message to frontline fighters and those who have sought asylum in the country as "crystal clear."

On August 24, 1991, the supreme soviet of Ukraine decided that the country should secede from the Soviet Union, which had its headquarters in Moscow. Ukrainian people supported this choice in a referendum held in December of the same year.

"My message to all Ukrainians is crystal clear: we are with you today and always," stated Starmer, "whether on the front lines or here in your second home in the UK."

“That is what I told President Zelensky when he sat at our cabinet table and where, on behalf of the British people, I outlined that it is not just the British government that’s behind Ukraine – it’s all of us.

“We are with you for as long as it takes.”

Starmer added “Slava Ukraini”, a national salute in the country, which translates to glory to Ukraine.

The government said more than 45,000 Ukrainian recruits have received training on British soil since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

The UK’s minister of defence has also urged social media users to share videos of them clapping, cheering, playing music, singing or ringing bells with the hashtag #MakeNoiseForUkraine on Saturday.

Friday marked National Flag Day in Ukraine with the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, participating in a flag-raising ceremony near the Verkhovna Rada parliament building.

“We are pushing the occupier out of Ukraine and will give no rest to their tricolours,” Zelensky said in a statement released on his website, a reference to Russia’s white, blue and red flag.

“We must rebuild Ukraine, our home, after this war so that our Ukrainian blue and yellow flies as it deserves – over proud land and amid safe, free, and European life.”

Zelensky met Narendra Modi in Kyiv on Friday, the first visit by an Indian prime minister since Ukraine gained its independence.

Modi told Ukraine’s president that he is “personally” ready to play a role “as a friend” to bring peace to the country.