Britain clarifies Ukraine policy beyond Keir Starmer's tenure
Photo: UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy (Getty Images)
The United Kingdom's foreign policy, including its support for Ukraine, will remain unchanged after Keir Starmer's eventual resignation, according to Euronews, citing UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy.
Priorities after the transition of power
The United Kingdom will continue to fulfill its commitments, including allocating an additional £290 million for Ukraine's energy security and reconstruction. At the same time, London plans to deepen trade and economic ties with the European Union to remove barriers created by Brexit.
"There's absolutely no question of a change in our foreign policy," Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said during the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk.
London intends to maintain full continuity on key geopolitical issues despite domestic political changes and preparations for the transfer of power.
The United Kingdom also has no intention of scaling back its efforts to strengthen ties with European institutions and the broader international community.
"We have been absolutely clear, reconnecting with the global community, a European reset, all of that continues," the official stressed.
The government is now preparing for an orderly transition of power to the likely successor, Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. He is already receiving government briefings to help ensure continuity during the transition. As a result, the EU-UK summit originally scheduled for July 22 has been postponed.
Expectations for the NATO summit
At the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8, the United Kingdom hopes to maintain the momentum of support for Ukraine. This is expected to be aided by the recent unity demonstrated by the Group of Seven at its summit in France. The United States is also expected to welcome increased defense spending by its European allies.
London also plans to intensify sanctions pressure on the Russian economy.
"We will continue bearing down on (...) dirty Russian money that's financing this war," Lammy said.
According to him, the time has come for Ukraine's international partners to step up and provide the support the country needs.
Earlier, on June 25, 2026, it was reported that the United Kingdom had found a way to finance Ukraine's war effort using confiscated Russian assets. According to The Telegraph, the British government plans to auction off oil seized from the detained Russian shadow fleet tanker Smirtos and direct the proceeds to Ukraine's Armed Forces.
