Air raid sirens and explosions rang out minutes after Starmer laid a wreath with President Zelensky at the Wall of Memorial in central Kyiv

By Olena Harmash KYIV (Reuters) -British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday he would give Ukraine the support it needed to put it in the strongest position to fight Russia in 2025, saying before talks in Kyiv with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy: "We mustn't let up".

The Kremlin has dismissed previous Western claims that Russia sponsored acts of sabotage and attacks in Europe

Keir Starmer will meet President Volodymyr Zelensky for talks on strengthening the bond between the UK and Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal onslaught

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the drone threat was "a reminder of what Ukraine is facing every day."

Arriving on Thursday morning, he accompanied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to lay flowers at a wall of remembrance for those killed in the war with Russia - telling reporters the UK will "never let up" on giving the necessary support to Ukraine.

The prime minister was speaking to Sky News's political editor Beth Rigby while on a surprise visit to Ukraine on Thursday.

Explosions were heard during an air raid alert - and a car and a building were damaged by debris from drones shot down by Ukraine's air defences

The 'historic' 100-year partnership includes £3bn a year in funding, as well as the provision of air defence systems and training for Ukrainian soldiers.

Putin’s forces locked onto French plane as North Korea troops may ‘be dead by April’ - “This aggressive Russian action is not acceptable,” the French defense minister said