Keir Starmer
Keir Starmer is a British politician and leader of the Labour Party who became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in July 2024. Before entering frontline politics he built a career as a human-rights lawyer and served as Director of Public Prosecutions and head of the Crown Prosecution Service. His government has committed substantial military and financial support to Ukraine, including air-defence assistance.
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France's foreign minister says Europe now supplies two-thirds of Ukraine's intelligence
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said in a France Inter interview on 15 October that two-thirds of the intelligence currently received by Ukraine comes from European countries, including France. His comments come amid uncertainty over US intelligence sharing following reported threats from Washington to halt it if Kyiv continues striking Russian energy infrastructure. Barrot said Europe has long shouldered the main share of support to Ukraine and accused the Kremlin of using social media to spread demoralisation. He did not directly confirm or deny that Washington had reduced intelligence sharing.
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UK to speed LMM missile deliveries to Ukraine during Zelensky's London visit
During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to London on 14 October, the British government announced it would accelerate deliveries of Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) to Ukraine to counter Russian jet-powered drones, including a £45 million air-defence missile package with £10 million in deliveries expedited ahead of winter. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, cited in Ukrainian coverage as 'Енді Бернем' / 'Andy Burnham', instructed ministers to prepare additional sanctions and military and financial aid packages in coming weeks and said the UK is fully implementing a ban on maritime services for Russian LNG.
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At virtual Ramstein meeting, Germany announces Patriot interceptors and 'City Dome' shield for Ukraine
At the 36th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on 8 September, held virtually, Germany announced the urgent transfer of PAC-2 Patriot interceptors and additional AIM-9 missiles from Bundeswehr stocks, launched the 'City Dome' project to shield Ukrainian cities from drone and missile strikes, and committed to financing tens of thousands of long-range artillery shells. The UK pledged £100 million through PURL for air defense, the EU approved financing for 3.2 billion euros of Patriot missiles, and Ukraine outlined plans to contract around 1,000 Patriot missiles and several thousand additional IRIS-T missiles with partner support. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said civilian deaths in Ukraine are at their highest since May 2022 and warned that delays cost lives.