Boris Johnson visits Kyiv, pledges help

Boris Johnson, the former British prime minister, visited Kyiv on Sunday (22 January). He met President Volodymyr Zilenskiy, and pledged that Britain would "stick with Ukraine for as long as it takes".

Johnson, who resigned in September after a series of scandals made him prime minister during Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February last year. He sought to make London the top ally of Kyiv in the West.

Johnson made a visit to Bucha and Borodyanka during his trip. These were the suburbs of Kiev that became known for their atrocities against the West.

Johnson said that the UK would stand by Ukraine for as long it takes.

"You are going to win, and you will get all the Russians from your country. But we will also be there for the long term."

Johnson dismissed any suggestion that his activities in Ukraine could be construed as destabilizing British Prime Minister Rusni Sunak.

Johnson visited Kyiv many times while in office and called Zelenskiy often.

He became embroiled with scandals in Britain and gained popularity in Ukraine, where he was affectionately known as Borys Johnsoniuk. In Kyiv, cafes named cakes after him and street art was created using his image.

Johnson visited Bucha to take selfies with local residents and lay flowers in honor of war victims. Johnson visited a church for an exhibition and signed the Ukrainian version of his book on Winston Churchill for a priest.

He walked along the streets of Borodyanka's ruined residential blocks. Oleksiy Kuleba from Kyiv, the regional governor, accompanied him and said that 162 people were killed in the Russian occupation of the city last year. Kuleba stated that about 60% of the residents have returned since then.

Johnson was welcomed in Kyiv by Zelenskiy, along with a group of high-ranking officials, including the foreign minister as well as the head of the presidency's office. They gathered in a yard close to the presidential administration at the center of the city.

Last week, Britain announced that it would supply Ukraine 14 Challenger 2 tanks as well as other heavy weapons.

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