Key events

Ukraine’s army chief called for national focus on the war against Russia amid signs of a split in the military hierarchy over the dismissal of reformist defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

“We need to focus on the war and on an effective strategy,” commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, who clashed with Fedorov, said on social media.

“And now in this city, briefings can be held, visions can be developed, and decisions can be made,” he said, appearing to mock Fedorov’s press conference hours earlier, Reuters said (13:32).

But one of Ukraine’s top soldiers, Joint Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapaty said the army “needs change” in a rare public intervention, as he thanked Fedorov for “not being afraid to tackle issues,” AFP reported.

in Kyiv

I just came out of the press conference with Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It was really quite interesting.

At the beginning, Zelenskyy gave Starmer an award called the Order of Freedom; it’s the highest honour that Ukraine can grant to a foreigner. Starmer looked generally moved; I thought he was almost tearing up. He said he was taken aback. Apparently, he didn’t know about it.

It was very bonhomous when they met – handshakes, arm pats – and I think beyond the politics of performance, there’s the sort of sense of they do actually genuinely like each other, and more than that, I think that Starmer is for real invested in Ukraine’s cause.

He was asked now he was off what would happen, and he was really emphasising the fact that that support for Ukraine was for ever, with the 100 year partnership signed last year; that it was enduring and it was cross party. He talked about Ukrainian flags flying on town halls, above Downing Street, churches, private gardens, and that this would continue (14:06).

Notably, Zelensky also said he would want to set up a meeting as soon as possible with Starmer’s successor, Andy Burnham, although he didn’t name him. So there’s a real sense of continuity (14:25).

One other aspect that was interesting is that Starmer was saying basically that the momentum has moved; that Ukraine with its mid- and long-range strikes on Russian positions was achieving success, and that it’s especially in the last six to seven months, and it was in its sort of strongest battlefield position ever. The corollary of that was to keep applying pressure to Putin, who was losing the war, with sanctions, with G7 outcomes, and with unity and resolve.

So quite kind of a rousing, quite heartfelt intervention from Starmer.

They also spent about 45 minutes talking in the presidential palace garden, one on one, under an awning in the shade, like two old friends shooting the breeze.

Starmer gets asked if he is disappointed he won’t see the end of the war while still in office.

He says that doesn’t matter as it’s not about him, but a country that continues its fight against an aggressor, showing “incredible” strength and resilience.

“One of the things I’m always struck by when I come to Kyiv is the simple acts of defiance of the civilians every single day … I take it as an act of defiance, of people getting upset: we are not going to give in to Putin.”

He adds that “a mere fact that I’m moving on as the PM,” it doesn’t mean he will lose any resolve “do to whatever I can to ensure that just, lasting peace comes for Ukraine as quickly as possible” – perhaps a hint of his international ambitions in the future?

Zelenskyy gets asked about another PM change in Britain, and how this uncertainty impacts Ukraine’s partnership with the UK.

He says he hopes to be able to build a new strong relationship with the new British PM, and a personal meeting “as soon as possible.”

Starmer gets asked how Europe can put more pressure on Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

He talks about “unity and resolve,” and “countries working together with a single purpose and with clarity.”

He says this needs to be worked on through formal alliances such as G7 and Nato, which “allowed us to bring together European allies along with allies farther afield Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan.”

“Putin thinks that our support will fall away. But he’s wrong about that and we need to demonstrate that every day.”

He repeats that it feels like there has been “a material change” in Ukraine’s ability to respond against Russia’s strikes, putting more pressure on Moscow.

We have a bit more detail on the announced €300m package for Ukraine (13:51).

It will “help deliver advanced Swedish Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine,” the UK government said, while supporting thousands of jobs in the UK.

“The construction of Gripen aircraft will support 5,000 highly skilled jobs across more than 50 UK-based companies which supply the global Gripen programme,” it added.

The government said the funding will help Ukraine field a squadron of 16 Gripen E fighter jets by 2029.

Zelenskyy in turn gets asked about his relations with the UK, his message for Starmer’s successor, Andy Burnham, and whether he is worried about losing his allies, be it in Starmer now or Macron next year.

In response, he highlights the importance of “strong personal relations” with other leaders, and says he is “very strong friends” with both leaders.

He says it means a lot that he knows he can call any time and will get a friendly reception.

On the second question, he says “of course I am afraid,” but stresses there is a strong foundation to build on.

“So I hope that we will not lose, never lose strong relations with United Kingdom - during and after the war,” he says.

“You won’t,” Starmer responds.

Starmer gets asked how can he be so confident that the UK’s support for Ukraine will continue.

He says he is sure it will “not waver,” because “the British people understand what is it being fought for here.”

“It is really significant that now in the fifth year of this conflict, the Ukrainian flag still flies above Downing Street. It still flies across churches and town halls across the country, and individual gardens,” he says.

“We know that this fight is our fight,” he says.

He says that unity was also clear in comments from other party leaders during his last PMQ yesterday.

The question of Fedorov and Zelenskyy’s government reshuffle came up in the very first question of the presser, and it’s clear that this is the main topic of the day in Kyiv.

As Luke said earlier, Starmer’s visit risks being – or simply is – very much overshadowed by that.

Zelenskyy gets asked about his sacking of Fedorov and significant protests against his decision this morning.

He says he is sure that Fedorov will remain in his team – despite Fedorov’s earlier refusal to become his aide – and he tries to strike a reassuring tone that a new minister will be appointed soon (11:56).

He says that as the president he should not be forced to get involved in resolving an internal conflict between different parts of the state. The army should work with the ministry together, he says.

He confirm outgoing interior minister Ihor Klymenko is among the candidates, but no official proposals had been made yet.

On ongoing protests, he says it’s right that those critical of his decision can express their views.

Starmer now turns to his legacy as he prepares to leave the post.

He says that he will “soon depart the stage,” but “the support of the United Kingdom for this course will never change.”

“It is in our bones. The flags are flying in churches and town halls across the country, as they have throughout the duration of this conflict. Your fight is our fight.”

And we move into the Q&A.

Starmer says that this summer “the mood is shifting,” with Putin “forced to admit that his illegal invasion is causing real problems at home for him.”

“This is the moment to increase the pressure,” he says.

Starmer talks about the importance of new funding agreed at last week’s Nato summit, and the UK’s decision to join the EU’s Ukraine Support Loan scheme.

He says the billions of euros going to help Ukraine “tell Putin we are not going anywhere, and it is only going to get harder for him.”

He announces the UK will provide €300m further support, together with Sweden, to provide 16 new advanced aircraft to defend Ukraine’s skies.

Starmer continues by saying that Ukraine’s experience helps Britain modernise its armed forces, working together on issues like drones.

“Our companies now work together, hand in glove,” he says.

He says he is proud to have built something “deeper” than a temporary partnership, but a strategic alliance with Ukraine for the next 100 years, “something totally unprecedented.”

He also talks about the importance of the Coalition of the Willing, which he co-led (co-leads, still, I guess) with France’s Emmanuel Macron.