David Cameron’s Ukraine trip shows its importance to the UK – and that experience in high office comes with baggage
The choice of Kyiv as the first visit by the UK’s new foreign secretary underlines the critical importance placed on supporting Ukraine against Russia even as war rages in Gaza.
That Lord David Cameron received a prime ministerial-style greeting from Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, is also notable – an indication perhaps of the value of having a former head of government become the top British diplomat.
But with experience of high office comes baggage and when Lord Cameron promised Mr Zelenskyy – as he did – to support Ukraine militarily for “however long it takes” it is impossible to ignore the legacy of the Cameron years in power when his government imposed swingeing cuts on the size and strength of the UK armed forces.
As prime minister, he told the public in 2010 that these cuts – including the axing of thousands of soldiers, sailors and aviators – were needed to close a “£38bn” blackhole in the defence budget left by the previous Labour administration.
Follow live: Cameron brings up Boris Johnson in chat with Zelenskyy
Yet almost a decade and a half later, the Ministry of Defence‘s books have not credibly been balanced.
Instead, the UK just has a much smaller military, less able to support, let alone conduct, enduring military operations at scale, such as the one being undertaken by Ukraine.
No mention of that legacy appeared to surface on Lord Cameron’s Ukraine travels, however.
Though he did bring up his long-standing rival Boris Johnson, who became close friends with the Ukrainian president during his time as prime minister.
“I had disagreements with my friend Boris Johnson,” he told Mr Zelenskyy.
“We have known each other for 40 years and his support for you was the finest thing that he and his government did.”
With a background of tinkly piano music, Ukraine’s president released a video on social media of the moment he greeted Britain’s new foreign secretary, with the two men shaking hands before Lord Cameron introduced his team and then sat opposite him at a table for talks.
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The first words uttered by the Ukrainian leader signal his concern at how the Israel-Hamas war has diverted the world’s attention away from Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
“Thank you for coming,” Mr Zelenskyy said. “It is very important. Now, you know the world is not focused on this situation, on our battlefield and in Ukraine and this dividing focus it really doesn’t help and we are thankful that you came.”
Lord Cameron stressed how he wanted Ukraine to be his first port of call in his new job.
“What I want to say by being here is we will continue to give you the moral support, the diplomatic support, the economic support but above all the military support that you need not just this year and next year but however long it takes.”