In show of support, British PM meets Ukraine’s Zelenskiy in Kyiv
(Reuters) -Britain’s Boris Johnson, one in every of Ukraine’s staunchest backers, flew to Kyiv on Saturday to pledge tighter sanctions on Russia and supply President Volodymyr Zelenskiy extra defensive arms, a transfer the Ukrainian chief mentioned others ought to observe.
At a gathering shrouded in secrecy till Johnson appeared within the Ukrainian capital, the 2 leaders cemented the shut ties they’ve nurtured since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. The transfer caps weeks of lobbying by Johnson to fulfill Zelenskiy.
With each males standing at podiums in entrance of cameras, they praised one another for his or her cooperation for the reason that Russian invasion, which Moscow calls a “particular operation” to demilitarise and “denazify” its neighbour. Zelenskiy rejects the outline, saying Russia is bent on destroying his nation.
“We should put increasingly stress on the Russian Federation, work tougher to assist the individuals of Ukraine defend it in opposition to the Russian Federation, and step up sanctions,” Zelenskiy mentioned.
“Different democratic Western states ought to observe the instance of Nice Britain. It is time to impose a whole ban on Russian power provides, and enhance the supply of weapons to us.”
Johnson replied: “Along with our companions, we’re going to ratchet up the financial stress and we’ll proceed to accentuate, week by week, the sanctions on Russia.”
He added that the measures would come with shifting away from the usage of Russian hydrocarbons.
Earlier, his Downing Avenue workplace mentioned Britain would offer the nation with 120 armoured automobiles and new anti-ship missile techniques.
Johnson’s aides say the 2 leaders have spoken nearly day by day since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The British chief, underneath stress over alleged events at his Downing Avenue residence throughout a COVID-19 lockdown, has been vocal in his assist of Zelenskiy.
Earlier on Saturday, the Ukrainian chief’s workplace revealed photos displaying the 2 males chatting throughout a desk.
Johnson met Zelenskiy “in a present of solidarity with the Ukrainian individuals”, a Downing Avenue spokesperson mentioned.
On Zelenskiy’s Telegram channel, Johnson was described as “probably the most principled opponents of the Russian invasion, a frontrunner in placing sanctions on Russia and offering defensive assist to Ukraine”.
(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk, Elizabeth Piper, William Schomberg and Natalia Zinets; Writing by Nerijus Adomaitis; Enhancing by Angus MacSwan, Alex Richardson and Jan Harvey)
