International

Ukraine Crisis: Boris Johnson Makes Surprise Visit To Kyiv Amid Russia Invasion

Published

3 years ago

Apr 10, 2022.

Benard Joseph

Boris Johnson Makes Surprise Visit To Kyiv Amid Russia Invasion, Heaps Praise On Zelensky.
The prime minister surprised the world after travelling to Ukraine’s capital in secret to meet his ally Volodymyr Zelensky in person.

EDITOR’S PICK

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson Saturday told President Zelensky ‘the Ukrainian people are a lion, and you are its roar’ during an unannounced visit to Kyiv in which he pledged more military aid to expel Russia.

The prime minister surprised the world after travelling to Ukraine’s capital in secret to meet his ally Volodymyr Zelensky in person.
Downing Street said the visit was a ‘show of solidarity’ with Ukraine.

Mr Johnson used the meeting to discuss a new package of financial and military aid to the country, confirming the UK will hand over 120 armoured vehicles and anti-ship missile systems to Kyiv.

The prime minister also confirmed the UK would guarantee a further £500 million in World Bank lending to Ukraine, subject to parliamentary approval.

Appearing alongside Mr Zelensky in a recorded broadcast clip, Mr Johnson said the west would continue to ‘ratchet up’ sanctions on Moscow as he praised the courage of the Ukrainian resistance.

“I think that the Ukrainians have shown the courage of a lion, and you Volodymyr have given the roar of that lion,” he said.
“The UK and others (will) supply the equipment, the technology, the know-how, the intelligence, so that Ukraine will never be invaded again.

“So Ukraine is so fortified and protected – that Ukraine can never be bullied again. Never be blackmailed again. Never be threatened in the same way again.”

Ukrainian officials were first to break the news of Mr Johnson’s visit. An image shared by the Ukrainian embassy to the UK shows the two leaders seated together at a table next to the caption ‘surprise’ with a winking face emoji.

Ukrainian politicians praised Mr Johnson for making the journey. Former minister Volodymyr Omelyan tweeted ‘Boris Johnson in Kyiv,’ alongside a heart emoji.

Meanwhile the deputy head of Zelensky’s administration, Andij Sybiha, described Mr Johnson on Facebook as ‘the leader in the anti-war coalition…leader in sanctions on Russian aggressor’.

And the Ukrainian parliament tweeted: “We welcome Boris Johnson in Kyiv, the first G7 leader to arrive in Ukraine since the beginning of the large-scale war.
“We are strengthening our union of democracies. Be brave, like Boris. Be brave, like Ukraine.’

The meeting came after Mr Johnson pledged to send £100m worth of high grade military weapons to Ukraine, including anti-tank and anti-aircraft weaponry and so-called ‘suicide drones’, which loiter over the battlefield before attacking their target.

Ukraine is preparing for a bloody battle in the east after Putin’s forces withdrew from the Kyiv region – leaving behind evidence of mass killings and atrocities on a scale not seen since World War Two.

As the west imposed more sanctions over the massacre, rape and torture of civilians in Bucha, Russia launched a rocket attack on civilians fleeing Kramatorsk rail station in Donetsk – killing 50 people.

Today Mr Johnson strongly condemned the ‘war crimes’ being uncovered in the wake of Russia’s departure from the north, with scores bodies of civilians who have been shot and killed being reported by the Ukrainian authorities.

“I think what Putin has done in places like Bucha and Irpin, his war crimes have permanently polluted his reputation and the reputation of his government,” he said.

He went onto praise Zelensky’s leadership in a statement, saying: ‘Ukraine has defied the odds and pushed back Russian forces from the gates of Kyiv, achieving the greatest feat of arms of the 21st century.

“It is because of President Zelenskyy’s resolute leadership and the invincible heroism and courage of the Ukrainian people that Putin’s monstrous aims are being thwarted.

” I made clear today that the United Kingdom stands unwaveringly with them in this ongoing fight, and we are in it for the long run.”

Meanwhile, Zelensky wrote on Telegram: “The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson is one of the most principled opponents of the Russian invasion, a leader in sanctions pressure on Russia and defense support for Ukraine. Congratulations in Kyiv, my friend!”

He welcomed the UK’s ‘decisive and significant support’ for his country as he urged other Western allies to intensify the pressure on Moscow.

“We have to exert pressure in the form of sanctions. It is time to impose a complete embargo on Russian energy resources. They should increase the amount of weapons being supplied,” he said.

The PM previously revealed he was keen to visit the besieged capital but security officials were said to be ‘having kittens’ over the idea.

The prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia, were the first to travel to Kyiv two weeks ago before returning home safely.

And on Friday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen travelled to Bucha, a town just outside Kyiv, where Russian forces are accused committing atrocities against civilians including cutting out their tongues.

FURTHER READING:

Ms von der Leyen said, ‘here in Bucha we have seen our humanity shattered’.
There were already calls for Putin to face a war trial before Russia launched a missile that hit Kramatorsk station as thousands of women and children tried to flee.

Click to watch our video of the week: