Britain’s support for Ukraine will not change if the Labor Party, currently in the main opposition, wins the next UK election, Labor leader Keir Starmer said during a visit to Ukraine today.

The UK is one of Ukraine’s biggest supporters under the Conservatives in power, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak followed the example of his predecessor Boris Johnson by visiting Kyiv. Boris Johnson is especially popular in Ukraine, where a street is named after him.

Polls show that Labor is well ahead of the Tories.

“If there are elections next year and there is a change of power, the position on Ukraine will remain the same,” Starmer assured during a visit to the city of Irpen near Kiev.

The city of Irpen was temporarily captured by Russian forces and Kyiv accused the occupiers of committing atrocities there before retreating.

Russia has denied the allegations, but investigators are gathering evidence of war crimes in several Ukrainian cities, including Irpin.

“It is incredible to see the evidence of the atrocities that I saw this morning. Photos of civilians on the outskirts of Kyiv blindfolded, with their hands tied behind their backs,” Starmer said.

The Labor leader also visited Bucha, another city near Kyiv where Russian atrocities have been documented, before traveling to Kyiv for talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Starmer, a former lawyer, also said he wanted to support Ukraine in its claims for damages as well.

“Justice must prevail. There must be reparations in The Hague and reparations must be paid for the restoration of Ukraine,” he said.

Source: APE-MPE, Reuters.