Home › Security › Kyiv's 100-year deal amid energy strikes
Kyiv's 100-year deal amid energy strikes
Summary
A look back at a January 2025 pairing of long-term diplomacy and missile attacks on Ukraine's power grid.
What did Ukraine's partners and its enemy signal in the days around 17 January 2025? Two developments, reported on 15 and 16 January, framed that moment.
On 15 January, Russia launched a major ballistic and cruise missile attack on regions across Ukraine. The strikes targeted energy production, and authorities were compelled to shut down the power grid.
On 16 January, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Kyiv to sign a 100-year agreement with Ukraine. The agreement was intended to formalise British economic and military support for Ukraine.
Two timescales
The contrast was stark. One side pursued a commitment measured in a century; the other pressed an assault on energy infrastructure, with consequences measured in hours without electricity. Shutting down the grid was a response to the attack's focus on power production.
The visit placed British support in a formal, long-term framework, covering both the economy and military assistance. Set beside the missile strikes, it showed the pressure on Ukraine's infrastructure and the intent of a key partner to remain engaged over the long term.
