Boris vows support for Ukraine will 'not waver' whoever is next PM

2022-07-22

Boris vows that British support for Ukraine against Putin’s invading armies will ‘not waver’ regardless of who becomes next PM in phone call with Volodymyr Zelensky

Boris Johnson stressed the UK’s ‘ongoing determination’ in call to Zelensky today
PM welcomed deal to deliver grain out of Ukraine in hopes to avoid food crisis
Zelensky said UK military support is making a real difference in Russian invasion
Eurovision and treatment of captured Brits fighting for Ukraine were discussed
Liz Truss said Putin’s ‘barbaric invasion’ meant the world’s poorest have no food

Boris Johnson told Volodymyr Zelensky today that British support will ‘not waver’ regardless of who becomes the next prime minister.

The Prime Minister also welcomed news of a much-anticipated deal to get grain out of Ukraine, amid hopes that the agreement can avoid a global food crisis.

In a call between the two leaders, Mr Johnson ‘stressed the UK’s ongoing determination to support the Ukrainian people and said that resolve will not waver, no matter who becomes the next UK prime minister’.

In a call to Volodymyr Zelensky (right) today, Boris Johnson (left) stressed the UK’s ‘ongoing determination to support the Ukrainian people’, adding that ‘resolve will not waver, no matter who becomes the next UK prime minister’

Boris Johnson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, walking side-by-side prior to talks during his second visit to Kyiv since the beginning of Russia’s invasion in June

Russia and Ukraine signed separate agreements today with Turkey and the United Nations to clear the way to export millions of tons of desperately needed Ukrainian grain as well as Russian grain and fertiliser. Pictured: Wheat grains in a storage facility on a farm near Izmail, in the Odessa region of Ukraine

A Downing Street spokeswoman said, ‘President Zelensky thanked the PM for his staunch support for Ukraine, and for his kind words in his last address to Parliament.

‘The Prime Minister outlined the recent steps the UK has taken to bolster Ukraine’s resistance, including training thousands of Ukrainian troops in the UK.

‘The UK is working to expand this training effort, including through the involvement of international partners. President Zelensky said the military support being provided by the UK and others is making a real difference in the conflict.

‘The Prime Minister welcomed today’s announcement of a UN-brokered deal to get grain out of Ukraine via the Black Sea and end Russia’s blockade. Both the Prime Minister and President Zelensky stressed the need for the deal to be implemented in full by all parties.’

The moves end a stand-off that had threatened food security around the globe.

Russia and Ukraine signed separate agreements today with Turkey and the United Nations to clear the way to export millions of tons of Ukrainian grain as well as Russian grain and fertiliser

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (right) and UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, sit as Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (top left) and Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar (top right) exchange documents during a signing ceremony at Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul today

Farmers harvest a wheat field in the Ukrainian Kharkiv region on July 19, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Liz Truss (pictured) said Putin’s ‘barbaric invasion’ has led to some of the world’s poorest people with nothing to eat

Foreign Secretary and Tory leadership candidate Liz Truss applauded the deal, saying Putin’s ‘barbaric invasion’ has led to some of the world’s poorest people with nothing to eat.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said, ‘President Zelensky thanked the PM for his staunch support for Ukraine, and for his kind words in his last address to Parliament.

The UK has provided £2billion of arms to Ukraine including anti-tank missiles and night-vision goggles, and plans to send hundreds of drones and anti-tank weapons in the coming weeks.

The British Ministry of Defence has sent Kyiv more than 6,900 anti-tank missiles, 16,000 rounds of artillery ammunition, 5,000 night-vision goggles, 120 Armoured Fighting Vehicles and six Stormer vehicles fitted with Starstreak launchers.

The MoD plans to bolster the firepower of Ukraine’s existing Soviet-era artillery with more than 20 M109 155mm self-propelled guns, 36 L119 105mm artillery guns, and in excess of 1,600 anti-tank weapons and hundreds of loitering aerial munitions.

Since Putin’s February 24 invasion:

More than 6,900 anti-tank missiles (including more than 5,000 NLAW, as well as Javelin, Brimstone, and other anti-tank weapons)
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems
120 Armoured Fighting Vehicles
Six Stormer vehicles fitted with Starstreak launchers as well as hundreds of Starstreak missiles
Maritime Brimstone
More than 16,000 rounds of artillery ammunition, as well as anti-structure munitions and 4.5 tonnes of plastic explosive
Communications equipment
Electronic warfare equipment
More than 82,000 helmets, 8,450 sets of body armour, medical supplies and more than 5,000 night-vision devices

Military aid to Ukraine in ‘coming weeks’:

More than 20 M109 155mm self-propelled guns
Thirty-six L119 105mm artillery guns and ammunition
More than 50,000 rounds of ammunition for Ukraine’s soviet era artillery
At least 1,600 more anti-tank weapons
Unmanned aerial systems (including 100s loitering aerial munitions)
Counter-battery radar systems
Medical equipment

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: ‘The scale and range of equipment we are providing demonstrates the strength of our resolve.

‘Together with our international partners, we will ensure Ukraine has the tools to defend their country from Putin’s illegal invasion.’

Mr Johnson also spoke with Mr Zelensky today about plans to host Eurovision and the treatment of UK prisoners being held by Russian-backed forces.

‘The leaders discussed their ongoing concern about the treatment of prisoners being held by Russian-backed forces in Ukraine, including those of British nationality.

‘The Prime Minister thanked President Zelensky for his government’s efforts to date to secure detainees’ freedom,’ the spokeswoman said.

‘The Prime Minister paid tribute to the role President Zelensky has played and must continue to play in upholding a fair and proper judicial system in Ukraine.

‘The Prime Minister and President Zelensky talked about the ongoing discussions about the hosting of Eurovision next year. The Prime Minister stressed that wherever Eurovision is held it must be an event which celebrates and honours the country and people of Ukraine.’

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who is currently running against former Chancellor Rishi Sunak to replace Boris Johnson, also praised the efforts of Turkey and the UN in helping reach the deal, saying that Vladimir Putin’s ‘barbaric invasion of Ukraine has meant some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world are at risk of having nothing to eat’.

She added: ‘It is vital that Ukrainian grain reaches international food markets, and we applaud Turkey and the UN Secretary General for their efforts to broker this agreement.

‘The UK and our allies have been pushing hard to reach this point.

‘Now this agreement must be implemented, and we will be watching to ensure Russia’s actions match its words.

‘To enable a lasting return to global security and economic stability, Putin must end the war and withdraw from Ukraine.’

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