Russia has welcomed Boris Johnson’s resignation from office.
Justin Tallis | AFP | Getty Images
LONDON – World leaders have reacted to the resignation of Boris Johnson, with the Kremlin in particular expressing its delight at the departure of the British Prime Minister.
Johnson announced on Thursday that it was time for his party to elect a new leader, and thus a prime minister, after more than 50 people resigned from his government in protest at his leadership.
As events unfolded in Britain on Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “He doesn’t like us, we don’t like him either,” according to a translation by R.
The Kremlin and the State Department could not immediately be reached for comment at CNBC’s request.
On Friday morning, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Johnson “has kept saying that Russia should be isolated, while his own party has instead isolated Boris Johnson himself.”
“I don’t want to comment on that, because Boris Johnson has proven in all his activities as Prime Minister and as Foreign Secretary that he is a man who is above all chasing superficial effects, who clings to power to elevate his political career in every one imaginable way.”
The acrimonious relationship between Boris Johnson and Russian leader Vladimir Putin will come as no surprise to many. Johnson’s military support for Ukraine has often drawn criticism in Russia. Indeed, Moscow banned Johnson from entering Russia as part of a broader package of war-related sanctions.
But Johnson’s departure will almost certainly mean no change in policy towards Ukraine and Russia.
“Now let me say to the people of Ukraine that I know we in the UK will support your fight for freedom for as long as it takes,” Johnson said during his resignation speech on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the reaction from Kyiv was, of course, the opposite.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Johnson spoke on Thursday after the resignation speech. Zelenskyy “thanked the Prime Minister for his decisive action in Ukraine and said the Ukrainian people are grateful for Britain’s efforts,” a Downing Street spokeswoman said.
“Highlighting the UK’s unwavering cross-party support for President Zelenskyy’s people, the Prime Minister said Britain will continue to provide essential defense assistance for as long as is needed,” the same spokesman said.
Biden avoids Johnson reference
Across the Atlantic, US President Joe Biden avoided referring specifically to Johnson but said he looked forward to working with the UK government.
“The United Kingdom and the United States are the closest of friends and allies, and the special relationship between our people remains strong and enduring,” Biden said in a statement, according to R.
In the European Union, officials are now hoping for better relations with the United Kingdom.
Johnson’s government had tried to change the details of a trade deal it signed with the EU after Britain left the EU – a move that didn’t go well in Brussels. In fact, EU officials launched legal action against the UK in June
Guy Verhofstadt, a Member of the European Parliament, said on Twitter on Thursday: “EU-UK relations have suffered tremendously as a result of Johnson’s Brexit decision. Things can only get better!”
Former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier also said: “Boris Johnson’s departure opens a new page in relations with the UK.”
“May it be more constructive, more respectful of the commitments made, particularly in relation to peace and stability in Northern Ireland, and friendlier with partners,” he added.
However, the future relationship between the UK and the EU will depend very much on Johnson’s departure.