UK prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer has travelled to Ukraine to meet President Zelenskyy and the two countries have signed a 100-year partnership.

The partnership aims to broaden and deepen the relationship across defence and non-military areas and enabling closer community links.

The partnership will cover nine pillars and will be laid in parliament in the coming weeks.

It is expected to bolster military collaboration on maritime security through a new framework to strengthen Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and Azov Sea security and bring experts to advance scientific and technology partnerships, in areas such as healthcare and disease, agri-tech, space and drones, and build lifelong friendships through classroom projects.

The two parties have committed to fostering technological innovation, recognising its role in shaping the future, particularly in health, education, transport, Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and biotechnology and to promote trade and collaboration across key sectors.

The two countries have also agreed to strengthen collaboration on on energy based on principles of sustainability and clean transition.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "Putin’s ambition to wrench Ukraine away from its closest partners has been a monumental strategic failure. Instead, we are closer than ever, and this partnership will take that friendship to the next level.

"This is not just about the here and now, it is also about an investment in our two countries for the next century, bringing together technology development, scientific advances and cultural exchanges, and harnessing the phenomenal innovation shown by Ukraine in recent years for generations to come.

"The power of our long-term friendships cannot be underestimated. Supporting Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s barbaric invasion and rebuild a prosperous, sovereign future, is vital to this government’s foundation of security and our Plan for Change.

"Through this partnership, we are creating a strong economy that works for the British people, a safe country that protects our interests at home and abroad, and a prosperous society."