Ukrainian designer presents Keir Starmer and Rupa Huq MP with embroidered shirts in Parliament

Ealing Central and Acton MP Rupa Huq took two Ukrainian women, designer Halyna Shunevych and Ela Czuruk of 1st Plast London, the Ukrainian Scouting Organisation in Great Britain, to meet the Prime Minister in the House of Commons last week

On Wednesday 1 July, Halyna presented Keir Starmer and Rupa Huq MP with vyshyvankas, traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirts, as part of her project ‘Vyshyvanka for the President’, which thanks world leaders for their support for Ukraine. Previous recipients include President Joe Biden, President Macron, Pope Leo XIV and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Rupa said: ‘At the start of the conflict, he came and prayed amongst them at the church in Newton Ave W3.’

The visit came in the days after Starmer announced he would step down as Labour leader. Rupa said: ‘We are sad to see Keir go, but he leaves a great legacy on the international stage including his leadership on Ukraine. He even joked while receiving his shirt that he may be in need of a new job!’

Halyna, who runs the brand Halynka Shunevych, said: ‘Meeting the Prime Minister was a profound honour. I was grateful for the opportunity to personally thank him for the United Kingdom’s steadfast support for Ukraine and to present a Ukrainian embroidered shirt as a symbol of our cultural resilience.’