Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was saddened by the news of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s resignation on Thursday, calling the soon-to-be former UK leader “a true friend to Ukraine.”
Johnson called Zelensky after delivering his resignation speech in front of 10 Downing Street to deliver assurances that British support for Ukraine would continue after he leaves office, according to both leaders.
Zelensky took the opportunity to thank Johnson on the way out the door for “his decisive and uncompromising support” and “leadership” in defending Ukraine on the global stage, the president’s office said.
“We all accepted this news with sadness. Not only me, but also the entire Ukrainian society, which is very sympathetic to you,” Zelensky told Johnson, according to the Kyiv readout.
Johnson called Zelensky after delivering his resignation speech. CNN
Zelensky took the opportunity to thank Johnson on the way out the door. Andrew Parsons / No10 Downing St“My entire office and all Ukrainians are grateful to you for your help. We have no doubt that Great Britain’s support will remain, but your personal leadership and charisma made it special,” he added.
Zelensky also praised Johnson in an interview with CNN, telling host Wolf Blitzer that Ukraine “gained a lot from Boris Johnson’s activities.”
“What Johnson was doing for Ukraine – he was a true friend to Ukraine,” Zelensky said, according to a translation.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President Volodymyr Zelensky walking in central Kyiv, on April 9, 2022. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER/AFP via Getty Images
Johnson pledged that the UK will continue to supply defensive aid “for as long as needed” and told Zelensky he would work in the coming weeks to try to end a Russian blockade. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE He added, “The United Kingdom is on the right side of history and I’m sure the policy of the UK toward Ukraine won’t be changing.”
Johnson, for his part, pledged that the UK will continue to supply defensive aid “for as long as needed” and told Zelensky he would work in the coming weeks to try to end a Russian blockade of Ukraine grain exports, according to the British readout of their discussion.
Johnson, who has visited Ukraine twice since Russia invaded the country Feb. 24, reportedly ended the call by telling Zelensky, “You’re a hero, everybody loves you.”
Johnson called Zelensky after delivering his resignation speech to deliver assurances that British support for Ukraine would continue after he leaves office. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE
Zelensky also praised Johnson in an interview with CNN, saying Ukraine “gained a lot from Boris Johnson’s activities.” UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE HANDOUTJohnson announced he would resign after a series of scandals eroded his support from within his party and saw nearly 60 of his fellow lawmakers resign from the government. He has vowed to stay in power until a new Conservative Party leader is chosen, a process that is expected to take several weeks.
Russian leaders were less complimentary of the departing prime minister.
“As for Mr. Johnson, he dislikes us very much,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday. “We dislike him, too.”
With Post wires
