UK Foreign Secretary visits Kyiv in first overseas trip
UK GovernmentNov 16, 2023
UK's David Cameron Travels to Meet Zelenskyy in Ukraine
The Facts
Former British Prime Minister David Cameron, who this week returned to government in a new role as foreign secretary, traveled to Ukraine and met with Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday.
In what was his first overseas trip of the new job, Cameron said the UK would continue to provide moral and diplomatic support to Ukraine, but further reassured Zelenskyy that above all, the UK would continue providing "the military support that you need not just this year and next year, but however long it takes.” Zelenskyy, meanwhile, thanked the UK for its continued support.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Russia thinks it can wait this war out, and that the West will eventually turn its attention elsewhere. This couldn't be further from the truth. The UK and its Western partners will continue to support Ukraine in fighting against Russian aggression for as long as the country needs.
Pro-Ukraine narrative
Ukraine continues to appreciate the UK's vast support — particularly as the world's attention has shifted to the Middle East. It's a tragedy what's happening in that region, but Ukraine also needs to be focused on because of the catastrophic ongoing tragedy stemming from Russia's ruthless invasion.
Pro-Russia narrative
It's time for Ukraine to realize that it cannot defeat Russia militarily. The sooner they realize this, the sooner the conditions for a peaceful settlement will be created.
Nerd narrative
There is a 1% chance that Ukraine will receive a security guarantee from another country before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.