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Boris Johnson makes surprise visit to Ukraine on independence day
Outgoing UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited the capital Kyiv Wednesday (August 24) to mark Ukraine's independence day.
A close ally of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Mr Johnson was making his third visit to Ukraine since Russia invaded six months ago, the BBC said.
Johnson, who is due to leave office next month, spoke at a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during his fourth trip to the country this year, and his third since the war began on Feb. 24.
"This is not the time to advance some flimsy plan for negotiation," Johnson said, vowing that Britain and Ukraine's allies would stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Kyiv and the Ukrainian people.
He claimed Western unity on Ukraine was "growing" despite reports of waning support among European countries as rising energy prices cripple the global economy.
Радий вітати в День Незалежності великого друга України Бориса Джонсона. Boris Johnson, дякую за безкомпромісну підтримку нашої країни з перших днів повномасштабної російської агресії, за стійке відстоювання інтересів України на міжнародній арені! Нашій державі пощастило мати такого друга! —— I am happy to meet Boris Johnson, a great friend of Ukraine, on Independence Day. Boris Johnson, thank you for the uncompromising support for our country from the first days of the full-scale Russian aggression, for steadfastly defending the interests of Ukraine in the international arena! Ukraine is lucky to have such a friend!
Posted by Володимир Зеленський on Wednesday, August 24, 2022
During the trip, he vowed that Ukraine "can and will win this war" against a "barbaric and illegal invader".
Mr Johnson also announced a further £54m military support package for Ukraine.
This includes 2,000 drones and loitering munitions which Downing Street said would help Ukraine "to better track and target invading Russian forces".
On Independence Day: Zelenskiy says Ukraine was 'reborn' when Russia invaded
In a Facebook post, Mr Zelensky said he was "glad to welcome" Mr Johnson who he described as "a great friend of Ukraine".
He thanked the UK prime minister for "the uncompromising support of our country from the first days of full-scale Russian aggression, for the steadfast defence of Ukraine's interests in the international arena!
It is likely to be Mr Johnson's final visit to the country as UK prime minister, as he is due to leave office on 6 September.
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