Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Sunday (January 22) and met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and top officials in the capital city of Kyiv. “It is an absolute honor to be here,” Johnson told Zelensky. “Honor to us,” the Ukrainian president responded, the Reuters news agency reported. Johnson visited the Kyiv suburbs of Borodyanka and Bucha.
In Bucha, he took selfies with residents and laid flowers in tribute to the victims of the war. Johnson told the mayor of Bucha that the United Kingdom (UK) will get Ukraine, adding: “You’re going to win and you’re going to get all the Russians out of your country, but we’re going to be there for a long time.” finished. And we’re also going to want to be helping you rebuild.”
While on Borodyanka, Johnson walked the streets past dilapidated residential blocks. Kyiv regional governor Oleskiy Kuleba, who accompanied the former British prime minister, said 162 residents were killed during the month-long Russian occupation of the suburb last year, adding that 60% of residents had returned.
Boris Johnson’s announced visit to Ukraine comes just days after he urged allies to double shipments of military equipment to Ukraine and speed up the end of the war with Russia.
“There is nothing to lose by doubling the material and equipment we are sending to the Ukraine and there is nothing to fear in escalation, and the best thing for the world is to do this and do it fast.” the former British prime minister said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Thursday, Reuters reported.
“That is the cheapest solution. It is the solution that has the lowest cost in human lives and suffering,” she added. A day earlier, Boris Johnson was made an honorary citizen of Kyiv by Mayor Vitali Klitschko in Davos.
Last week, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that his government would provide 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine to help Kyiv forces push back Russian troops. Sunak’s promise provoked an immediate reaction from Moscow, which warned it would only “escalate” the conflict.
“Bringing tanks into the conflict zone, far from ending hostilities, will only serve to intensify combat operations, generating more casualties, including among the civilian population,” the Russian embassy in the UK said last week.
(With agency contributions)
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