On Saturday, Boris Johnson appeared on a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital. Now he promises even more assistance in the war against Russia.
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Boris Johnson now promises to send armored vehicles and naval missiles to Ukraine to assist them in the fight against Russia.
It was the Ukrainian embassy in Britain that released the news that the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, was in Kyiv to meet the president. The meeting was not announced in advance.
Johnson traveled to Kyiv shortly after Britain promised to send military vehicles to Ukraine as part of a new £ 100 million crisis package.
Downing Street stated that the purpose of the visit is to show solidarity with Ukraine, as well as discuss Britain’s long-term support for the war-torn country.
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Weapon deliveries worth 1.1 billion
The help comes on top of the promises from the UK about deliveries of several anti-aircraft missiles of the Starstreak type, as well as another 800 anti-tank missiles and attack drones, writes NTB. The value of this equipment will be just over NOK 1.1 billion.
Johnson also promised an additional NOK 500 million in aid channeled through the World Bank. This comes on top of the 394 million pounds the UK has given in grant aid.
The British Prime Minister says it was a privilege to meet Zelensky face to face, according to a statement from Downing Street.
“Ukraine has, against all odds, pushed Russian forces back from the gates of Kyiv and achieved the greatest military achievement of the 21st century,” Johnson said.
– I made it clear today that Great Britain is standing by and bursting at their side in this ongoing battle, and we are part of the long run, the Prime Minister adds.
Johnson made no secret of his views on Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Kyiv.
“It is because of President Zelensky’s steadfast leadership and the invincible heroism and bravery of the Ukrainian people that Putin’s abominable goals are thwarted,” Johnson said after the meeting.
The British Prime Minister also said that Britain was stepping up military and economic support, and called for a “global alliance to end this tragedy”.
“What Putin has done in places like Butsja and Irpin are war crimes that have forever tarnished his and his government’s reputation,” Johnson said.
Asks the West to follow the example of the British
In an update on Telegram on Saturday afternoon, Zelenskyj writes that Johnson is one of the “most principled opponents of the Russian invasion”, and a leader in sanctions pressure against Russia.
Since then, during a joint press conference with Johnson, he has asked that the West should put even more pressure on Russia. Zelensky stated that other countries should follow the example of Britain, adding that it was time to impose a total ban on Russia’s energy sector and increase the supply of weapons to Ukraine.
– We must further strengthen our anti-war coalition. We hope London will play a key role in this process, he said.
According to Zelensky, he and Johnson also talked about rebuilding Ukraine.
– Together we will rebuild our country and our cities.
Earlier on Saturday, Zelensky also met the Prime Minister of Austria, Karl Nehammer, in the capital. On Friday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was in Kyiv to show support for Ukraine.
On Saturday, von der Leyen announced that the EU Commission will provide one billion euros to Ukraine in aid. Of this, 600 million euros will go to the Ukrainian authorities and the UN, and 400 million euros will go to the countries on the front lines that receive Ukrainian refugees.
At the same time, the EU, Canada and the organization Global Citizen have collected over ten million euros to ensure support for Ukrainian refugees, the EU chief states.
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