Cameron visits Ukrainian port in first overseas visit as diplomat
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — David Cameron traveled Thursday to the Ukrainian port of Odesa in his first overseas trip as Britain's new foreign minister, and pledged that the U.K. would continue providing military support until Ukraine is victorious in its war with Russia.
Cameron, a former prime minister who returned to government in a surprise appointment Monday in a Cabinet shuffle, said he wanted to make Ukraine his first diplomatic destination, and met Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"I admire the strength and determination of the Ukrainian people," he told Zelenskyy in a video posted by the president.
Cameron said the U.K. would continue to provide moral, economic and diplomatic support "but above all, the military support that you need not just this year and next year but however long it takes."
The two-day visit came as Ukraine faces several challenges on and off the battlefield.
Zelenskyy has struggled to capture the world's attention as focus has shifted to the Middle East and Israel's war against Hamas. Additional U.S. funding for Ukraine is jeopardized by political fights in Washington and the European Union says it can't provide all the munitions it promised. Meanwhile, Ukraine's counteroffensive has led to only incremental gains and the ground war appears bogged down in a stalemate as winter arrives.
Zelenskyy thanked Cameron for visiting and told him that the divided focus in the world does not help his cause.
"A good meeting," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on Thursday. "Weapons for the front, strengthening of air defense, protection of our people and critical infrastructure. I am grateful to the UK for its support!"
Cameron said he wanted to find out what Ukraine needs from its friends and also make sure it is not forgotten on the world stage.
"Russia thinks it can wait this war out, and that the West will eventually turn its attention elsewhere," Cameron said in a statement Thursday. "This could not be further from the truth.”