By PM pledges aid to Zelensky in Kyiv meeting
Boris Johnson held talks in Kyiv with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky in a “show of solidarity” with Ukraine.
Downing Street said the UK would send 120 armoured vehicles and anti-ship missile systems to support Ukraine.
Officials on Zelensky’s team praised the UK for support during the conflict with Russia.
Mr Johnson’s visit was not announced, with the news that he was in the city coming when a photograph of his meeting with President Zelensky was put on Twitter.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “The prime minister has travelled to Ukraine to meet President Zelensky in person, in a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people.”
Mr Johnson paid tribute to “President Zelensky’s resolute leadership and the invincible heroism and courage of the Ukrainian people”.
“Ukraine has defied the odds and pushed back Russian forces from the gates of Kyiv”.
He said: “I made clear today that the United Kingdom stands unwaveringly with them in this ongoing fight, and we are in it for the long run.
“We are stepping up our own military and economic support and convening a global alliance to bring this tragedy to an end, and ensure Ukraine survives and thrives as a free and sovereign nation.”
Mr Johnson also confirmed further economic support, taking total UK loan guarantees to £770m.
Zelensky welcomed the UK’s “decisive and significant support” and urged other Western allies to increase pressure on Moscow.
“We have to exert pressure in the form of sanctions. It is time to impose a complete embargo on Russian energy resources. They should increase the amount of weapons being supplied,” he said.
Mr Johnson is the first member of a G7 country to travel to the Ukrainian capital for talks during the conflict.
