Boris Johnson meets with Republicans in Capitol on Ukraine

2023-02-01

‘What is this place?’ Boris Johnson marvels at Capitol tunnel as he goes on the charm offensive with Republicans following his latest meeting with Zelensky in Kyiv

Boris Johnson met with Republican lawmakers in Capitol
He was lobbying for support for Ukraine
He marveled at underground tunnel in massive complex

Boris Johnson was walking the halls of the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, meeting with Republicans to urge them to continue the American support for Ukraine.

It was a marked change from his last time on Capitol Hill when he was British Prime Minister and received the honors a visiting head of state is given – a massive security presence, closed off hallways, and lines of aides trailing him.

This time, Johnson hoofed it between the House and Senate office buildings that make up the Capitol complex – a stretch of six buildings over four acres where it can take up to 20 minutes to walk from point A to point B.

The former PM even had to make like a lawmaker and walk through one of the underground tunnels to avoid the rainy Washington weather as he marched from meeting to meeting.

‘What is this place?’ he asked as he walked through the Cannon Tunnel, where student art work from congressional districts across the country hang on its walls.

Boris Johnson met with Republicans on Capitol Hill, including Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell

Johnson met with Republicans after he visited President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on earlier this month.

And his visit comes as some Republicans have expressed concern about the amount of money the U.S. is sending to the Ukraine, arguing it could be better spent in America.

Johnson met with an array of Republicans, including Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senator Lindsey Graham, and Rep. Jim Banks. He even ran into Newt Gingrich when he was in McCarthy’s office.

He told Fox News’ Bret Baier he was at the Capitol to lobby for Kyiv.

‘This is not the moment to delay any support for Ukraine. This is the moment to double down on our support. Give them what they need, whether it’s the tanks or the long-range artillery fire,’ he said.

‘They need to kick Putin out of the whole of the territory. And I know how people in America have done incredible job. The faster Putin gets out of Ukraine, the quicker we return to stability and the more powerful the message we send to people like China.’

Boris Johnson also sat down with Speaker Kevin McCarthy

Johnson ran into former Speaker Newt Gingrich while he was in McCarthy’s office

Johnson express awe as he walked through the Cannon Tunnel, where student art work from congressional districts across the country hang on its walls

The former PM was one of President Joe Biden’s staunchest allies when it came to supporting Ukraine in its quest to expel Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces.

When he was in Kyiv earlier this month he was offered the opportunity to demonstrate his solidarity by signing an Nlaw anti-tank weapon.

During that visit, he called on the world to ‘double down’ in its support for the battered nation.

Johnson was last on Capitol Hill in September of last year where he met with then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

When Johnson arrived for their meeting, Pelosi showed him a photo from Winston Churchill’s 1941 speech to Congress.

Pelosi’s father Thomas D’Alesandro was a member of Congress at the time, representing Maryland, and was present at the speech.

The speaker showed Johnson where her dad was in the photo.

‘You’re kidding me,’ Johnson said, leaning in to look at the photo closer as he grasped Pelosi’s hand. ‘That’s incredible.’

Boris Johnson was pictured signing his name on an anti-tank weapon in Ukraine to demonstrate his solidarity for the country when he visited Kyiv earlier this month

Then Speaker Nancy Pelosi showed Boris Johnson a photo of Winston Churchill’s 1941 address to Congress when then then-PM visited the Capitol on September 22

Zelensky made his own address to Congress and visit to Washington D.C. on December 21.

‘The Russian tyranny has lost control over us,’ he said at the time.

Zelensky was treated to repeated cheers from Republicans and Democrats who filled the chamber – including a group of lawmakers who unfurled a Ukrainian flag on the House floor.

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