Boris Johnson paid a surprise visit to Kyiv today, the day after Emmanuel Macron and EU leaders made their first visit to Ukraine, promising to stand by Volodymyr Zelenskyy against Russia.
The prime minister is in the Ukrainian capital for the second time since Vladimir Putin marched in after a day of mystery over his whereabouts.
Mr Johnson tweeted a picture welcoming the President of Ukraine this afternoon, saying: “Mr President Volodymyr, it’s good to be back in Kyiv.”
A message on Mr Zelenskyy’s Telegram account also read: “Many days of this war have proved Britain’s strong and resolute support to Ukraine. I am delighted to see our country’s great friend, Boris Johnson, back in Kyiv.”
A video released by the Ukrainian government also showed Zelenskyy warmly greeting the prime minister with a “Hello, Boris” as he arrived at the presidential palace.
The two leaders then walked up a flight of stairs while chatting before posing for photos and heading into a briefing room.
Mr Johnson told Ukraine’s president that Britain was ready to launch a major operation to train Ukrainian forces and train up to 120,000 troops every 120 days.
Downing Street said the British-led program will train and train Ukrainian troops to speed up their deployment, rebuild their forces and bolster their resistance.
In a statement, the Prime Minister added: “That is why I have offered President Zelenskyy a comprehensive new military training program that could change the equation of this war – by harnessing the most powerful force of all, the Ukrainian determination to win.”
Boris Johnson pictured with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a visit to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv today
Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron shared an awkward hug as EU leaders visited Ukraine yesterday
In April, Mr Johnson became the first Western leader to travel to Kyiv, with the arrangements being made in great secrecy
The pair have formed a close “bromance” since the beginning of the Russian invasion and are on the phone regularly
Carrie Johnson was amused at Ascot today – but with no sign from the Prime Minister
Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum today
It comes as Mr Johnson was due to appear at a conference of Red Wall Tory MPs’ Northern Research Group in Doncaster this afternoon.
He was also expected to run ahead of next week’s crucial by-election in Wakefield. Conservatives fear they are doomed to lose the seat to Labor after Mr Johnson was fined over Partygate and most recently the resignation of his ethics adviser.
However, he abruptly withdrew from the event last night, causing particular anger among MPs by not giving a reason.
In April, Mr Johnson became the first Western leader to travel to Kyiv, with the arrangements being made in great secrecy.
He has formed a close “bromance” with Mr. Zelensky and is on the phone regularly.
The head of the Ukrainian president’s office called Mr Johnson a “good friend and ally” during the visit.
Andriy Yermak tweeted: “Today we met with our good friend and ally Boris Johnson, along with Volodymyr Zelensky, the Bureau and Government team.
“We discussed with Boris the urgently needed shipments of heavy weapons and air defense systems, economic support for Ukraine and increasing sanctions pressure on RF.”
Meanwhile, Ms Carrie was pictured enjoying herself at Ascot today – but with no sign of the Prime Minister.
Mr Johnson’s visit comes the day after Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz and Mario Draghi visited Kyiv.
The prime ministers of France, Germany and Italy traveled to the country by train before holding talks with Mr Zelensky and then heading to the suburb of Irpin to see first-hand the devastation wrought by Putin’s forces and evidence of war crimes.
Mr Macron condemned the “barbarism” of the attacks and hailed the bravery of residents of Irpin and others in the region who helped thwart Russia’s attempt to overrun the capital.
But there was a clumsy attempt to pull the Ukrainian leader into a hug at a joint news conference, and pictures of the couple shaking hands earlier at the event looked similarly one-sided.
Mr Johnson during a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday
Mr Johnaon was expected to stand as a candidate in Wakefield today ahead of a crucial by-election next week
Mr Zelensky has in recent weeks openly accused Mr Macron of apologizing to Putin, with whom the French leader previously had a close relationship, and has criticized his government for failing to provide enough arms and support to halt Ukraine’s war effort to support.
His body language towards Mr Macron stands in stark contrast to the warmth and enthusiasm with which he greeted officials from the US and UK – Mr Johnson in particular.
The EU today gave its blessing to Ukraine and its neighbor Moldova to become an official candidate to join the bloc – with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announcing the move in blue and yellow.
The move represents a historic eastward shift in Europe’s perspective caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which dramatically shook peace in Europe and changed perceptions of the bloc’s leaders.
Ukraine applied to join the EU just four days after Russian troops crossed its border in February. Four days later, so did Moldova and Georgia — two other former Soviet states struggling with separatist regions occupied by Russian troops.
“Ukraine has clearly demonstrated the country’s aspiration and determination to live up to European values and standards,” said the Chair of the EU Executive Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in Brussels.
She announced this during a press conference on Friday, wearing Ukrainian colors, a yellow blazer over a blue shirt. Ukrainians are “ready to die” for the “European dream,” she said.