Boris Johnson has arrived in Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the second anniversary of Putin’s brutal invasion.
The former British prime minister joins a long list of allies who have arrived in Kyiv to show solidarity with Ukraine as the war enters its third year.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, this morning Johnson said: ‘On this grim second anniversary of Putin’s invasion I am honoured to be here in Ukraine.
‘With their indomitable courage I have no doubt that the Ukrainians will win and expel Putin’s forces – provided we give them the military, political and economic help that they need.’
Boris Johnson announced on X, formerly Twitter, he was meeting with Zelenskyy in Kyiv
Johnson’s premiership saw record support for Ukraine, Britain quickly becoming the second-largest donor after the United States.
The former prime minister has maintained strong relations with Ukrainian leader Zelenskyy since leaving office.
Ninety minutes after resigning in July 2022, Johnson called Zelenskyy to say his people had the UK’s unwavering support in its fight against Russia, and said Britain would continue to supply vital aid for as long as needed.
Johnson, who held the top role when Russia invaded on February 24, 2022, travelled to Ukraine a year after stepping down to receive an honorary degree from the University of Lviv.
His arrival today coincides with a virtual summit of G7 leaders due to take place at Kyiv’s Saint Sophia Cathedral later Saturday with Zelenskyy attending.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also arrived in Kyiv to take part in the G7 summit.
Current British prime minister Rishi Sunak also voiced support for Ukraine’s plight in an address to mark the second anniversary.
The Prime Minister declared that ‘tyranny will never triumph’ as he said Britain will do ‘whatever it takes, for as long as it takes’ to help them win.
Mr Sunak said: ‘When Putin launched his illegal invasion… the free world was united in its response.
‘We stood together behind Ukraine. And on this grim anniversary, we must renew our determination.
‘This is the moment to show that tyranny will never triumph and to say once again that we will stand with Ukraine today and tomorrow. We are prepared to do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, until they prevail.’
The prime minister visited Kyiv last month to sign a new security agreement and announce more military funding for Ukraine.
On Friday, US President Joe Biden also announced 500 new sanctions targeting Russia’s ‘financial sector, defence industrial base and procurement networks’ in light of the shock death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in a grisly Arctic penal colony on February 16.
The new restrictions were described as ‘crushing’ by a high-level State Department official on Thursday, who also claimed they would target officials ‘directly involved in Navalny’s death’. Moscow still denies involvement in the shock death last Friday.
The US will also impose new export restrictions on nearly 100 entities for providing support to Russia and take action to further reduce Russia’s energy revenues, Biden said in a statement.
‘They will ensure Putin pays an even steeper price for his aggression abroad and repression at home,’ the president said of the sanctions.