Boris Johnson says Britain will continue to back Ukraine in war with Russia after he leaves Number 10 as he rings President Zelensky and tells him: ‘You’re a hero, everybody loves you’
- The PM reiterated to his Ukrainian counterpart that he has ‘cross-party support’
- The couple had a very close relationship and the PM went to Kyiv on June 17
- Zelensky is understood to have thanked the PM for his ongoing support
- Russian politicians say the moral of the story is ‘do not seek to destroy Russia’
Boris Johnson has phoned Ukraine’s President Zelensky to reiterate his support for Ukraine and called the leader a ‘hero’ that ‘everybody loves’ – within hours of announcing his resignation after 59 of his ministers quit.
The PM has been a strong supporter of the Ukrainian president since war first broke out in the country following the invasion by Russia in February of this year.
He has secretly visited Ukraine several times in the last few months, most recently and controversially cancelling a trip to a conference with northern Tories on June 17 to fly to Kyiv instead.
The move did little to calm northern and rebel MPs, especially those who are in traditionally-Labour held seats – but he has consistently won praise for his support of the Ukrainian military.
After resigning as UK PM following 59 ministerial resignations in the space of 48 hours, Mr Johnson held a phone call with President Zelensky to assure him of his continued support for the country ahead of a Conservative leadership contest which could begin as soon as next week.
Boris Johnson phoned President Zelensky a matter of hours after resigning as head of the Conservative Party
In what could be one of his last interactions with the Ukrainian President as PM, Mr Johnson told him he is a ‘hero’ and ‘everybody loves him’
Prime Minister Boris Johnson shaking hands with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, prior to talks during his visit to Kyiv the Ukrainian capital in April
Mr Johnson says he discussed the UK’s ‘unwavering cross-party support’ for the Ukrainian nation and its people during the call (Pictured: The PM visiting President Zelensky, right, in Kyiv last month)
In a statement in Downing Street at 12:30pm today, the PM tried to sound an upbeat tone as he confirmed that his time in office is coming to an end
Downing Street says he discussed the UK’s ‘unwavering cross-party support’ in the wake of political events over the last few days, adding that the UK will ‘continue to supply vital defensive aid for as long as needed.’
He added he will continue to try and end the grain blockade in the coming weeks – a reference to the war’s contribution to rising food prices due to Ukraine being unable to export as much grain safely.
Ukraine has typically been one of the largest grain exporters in the world, but as well as sea and land blockades, it is also struggling to prevent Russia from allegedly stealing it.
The Downing Street spokesperson continued: ‘He thanked President Zelenskyy for everything he’s doing to stick up for freedom, for his friendship and for the kindness of the Ukrainian people.
‘President Zelenskyy thanked the Prime Minister for his decisive action on Ukraine, and said the Ukrainian people were grateful for the UK’s efforts.’
Mr Johnson bid farewell to President Zelenskyy with strong praise for his character, saying: ‘You’re a hero, everybody loves you’.
The call followed Mr Johnson being forced to step down as PM in the wake of new allegations against the former deputy whip, Chris Pincher.
It was triggered by revelations that the PM had been personally briefed about a complaint against Mr Pincher when he was working at the Foreign Office, despite initially saying he was unaware of any ‘specific reports’.
Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid both resigned on Tuesday night after this came to light, beginning the wave of MPs confirming no confidence in him and relinquishing government roles.
Many of the former ministers referenced their own support for Ukraine and the UK’s aid in their resignation letters.
Johnson’s close relationship with the Ukrainian President has been clear from the beginning of the conflict with Russia and leading politicians in Ukraine have today thanked the UK for it’s aid.
This afternoon Zelensky’s adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, took to Twitter to thank the PM for being ‘the first to arrive in Kyiv, despite missile attacks’ and ‘always being at the forefront of supporting’ Ukraine.
The last time the two leaders saw each other in Kyiv on June 17, The Prime Minister was keen to express the royal family’s support for Ukraine too.
Mr Johnson has been continuing his work as PM as he tries to cling on to the job until his party have elected a new leader – but with so many ministerial jobs to fill, it could prove difficult
Mr Johnson told the Ukrainian president on June 17 that the UK is prepared to launch a major operation to train Ukrainian armed forces
He gave Volodymyr Zelensky a biography of the Queen, Robert Hardman’s book Queen Of Our Times: The Life Of Elizabeth II.
Mr Zelensky congratulated the monarch on her 70-year milestone on June 5, tweeting: ‘Congratulations on the Platinum anniversary of the reign of the Queen of (Britain) Her Majesty Elizabeth II @RoyalFamily.
‘Grateful for supporting Ukraine in the fight for our freedom and independence.
‘I wish Her Majesty well-being and peace and prosperity to (the British) people’.
As well as previously pledging billions of pounds worth of humanitarian and military aid, following the latest visit a major training operation for Ukrainian forces was announced by the UK government, with the potential to train up to 10,000 soldiers every 120 days.
Shortly afterwards on June 26 the UK pledged another £430 million worth of aid to help in the war against Russia.
At the time the PM said: ‘My visit today, in the depths of this war, is to send a clear and simple message to the Ukrainian people: the UK is with you, and we will be with you until you ultimately prevail.
‘As Ukrainian soldiers fire UK missiles in defence of your nation’s sovereignty, they do so also in defence of the very freedoms we take for granted.
‘That is why I have offered President Zelenskyy a major new military training programme that could change the equation of this war – harnessing that most powerful of forces, the Ukrainian determination to win.
Wife Carrie Johnson, son Romy and Culture Secretary were some of those who supported the PM during his resignation statement today – it was the first time the couple’s child has been properly seen in public
‘Two months on from my last visit, the Ukrainian grit, determination and resilience is stronger than ever, and I know that unbreakable resolve will long outlive the vain ambitions of President Putin.’
But the PM was slated by nervous Tory MPs back home after failing to appear at a conference being held by the Northern Research Group of Red Wall Tory MPs in Doncaster.
He was also expected to campaign in Wakefield ahead of the crucial by-election on June 23 – which the Conservatives subsequently lost.
However, he pulled out of the event abruptly the night before, causing particular anger among the MPs by not giving any reason – before it was announced the following day that he was in Ukraine.
Due to security concerns for both Mr Johnson and President Zelensky, visits to Ukraine have only been announced by the UK once they are already underway.
In April, Mr Johnson became the first Western leader to go to Kyiv, with the arrangements made in great secrecy.
He has formed a close ‘bromance’ with Mr Zelensky, speaking regularly on the phone.
The Ukrainian president’s head of office described Mr Johnson as a ‘good friend and ally’ during the visit.
Meanwhile Russia’s Kremlin today slammed Mr Johnson after his resignation, saying they do ‘not like’ him.
President Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Mr Johnson ‘really does not like us – and we [do not like] him either’.
He said he hoped ‘more professional people’ who could ‘make decisions through dialogue’ would take over in London.
Russian foreign ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova today told reporters Mr Johnson had been ‘hit by a boomerang launched by himself’, adding that the moral of the story was ‘do not seek to destroy Russia’.
During his resignation speech outside No.10 Downing Street at lunchtime today the PM reassured Ukrainians and the western world that the UK would remain firm supporters of their independence: ‘Let me say now to the people of Ukraine that I know we in the UK will continue to back your fight for freedom for as long as it takes.’
Mr Johnson appeared in high spirits despite saying he was sad to be leaving ‘the best job in the world’ as he paid tribute to his staff and the civil service.
Standing at the traditional podium and watched by wife Carrie, baby Romy and close aides, Mr Johnson said the situation was ‘painful’ and branded the move to oust him ‘eccentric’.
But he pointed to his achievements since winning the huge landslide – such as the vaccine rollout, Brexit and coming to the aid of Ukraine.
He said his message to voters who delivered his 2019 landslide was ‘thank you for that incredible mandate’, adding the ‘reason I have fought so hard’ was because he felt it was his ‘job’ to deliver what he promised.
The PM then tweeted: ‘I want to thank you, the British public, for the immense privilege of serving you as Prime Minister.
‘I want you to know that from now until my successor is in place, your interests will be served and the government of the country will be carried on.’
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