Zelensky hopes Johnson’s “legacy” in fighting russian aggressor to be preserved
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine hopes to establish with the new British Prime Minister ties as close as he has with the outgoing leader of the British Government, Boris Johnson.
That's according to The Mail on Sunday.
"In a few days, the UK will have a new Prime Minister. As Ukraine's President, I will be happy to establish close relations with, as Boris Johnson recently said, 'any British Prime Minister, male or female'. I sincerely hope that Boris's legacy in this fight against Russian barbarism will be preserved," Zelensky said.
The leader of the war-torn nation hailed the outgoing Prime Minister as a 'true friend' who had always acted 'swiftly and resolutely' to offer help in the face of Russia's invasion.
Zelensky said the UK was his country's "dearest friend and closest ally" under Johnson, and praised the PM's "courage and determination" in championing support for Ukraine.
"We even started to address him, warmly and humorously, as 'Boris Johnsoniuk' – a Ukrainian sounding surname if you put a stress on the last syllable – inspired by his Instagram account @borisjohnsonuk," Zelensky said.
According to the Ukrainian leader, his country will continue to repel the aggressor and is still in need of Great Britain's support.
The Ukrainian government has also worked closely and effectively with the UK Government and Ministers at all levels in recent months, added Zelensky.
"Among them, I am most grateful to two other great leaders and friends of Ukraine – Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, and Ben Wallace, your Defence Secretary," the Ukrainian president emphasized.
As reported earlier, r Boris Johnson paid an official visit to Ukraine on August 24. At a joint press conference in Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky conferred the British Prime Minister the Order of Freedom.
On July 7, Johnson announced his resignation as Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party.
