Ukraine gives Keir Starmer Order of Freedom during Kyiv visit

Ukraine awarded Britain's Keir Starmer its Order of Freedom honour on Thursday during what the report described as his final visit to Kyiv as outgoing prime minister.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Starmer at a press conference in Kyiv and said Britain had always been, and remained, with Ukraine. Starmer thanked Zelensky and said Britain's support for Ukraine would not change after he leaves office.

Starmer is due to leave Downing Street on Monday. The report said former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who became an MP again last month, is set to become leader of the ruling Labour party on Friday and then prime minister on Monday after meeting King Charles III.

Two Conservative predecessors as prime minister, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, have also previously received Ukraine's Order of Freedom.

The report said Burnham would be the United Kingdom's fifth leader since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Starmer announced his resignation on June 22 after losing the confidence of Labour lawmakers, following several domestic policy reversals that affected his popularity and regional elections that hurt his party.

The report said Starmer is held in high regard by many foreign leaders, including over his work on Ukraine and commitment to NATO. It said Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron helped lead efforts to establish a peacekeeping force intended to deter Russia if a peace deal is reached.

On Monday, Britain joined the European Union's 90-billion-euro, or $103 billion, support loan for Ukraine.