Boris Johnson travels to Ukraine for talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky

Boris Johnson travels to Ukraine for talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky
February 1, 2022, 5:49 pm

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The Asharq Al-Awsat reported, Boris Johnson travels to Kyiv Tuesday for talks with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, as tensions with Russia rise and the British prime minister battles the biggest crisis of his premiership.

Johnson said in a statement: "It is the right of every Ukrainian to determine how they are governed. As a friend and a democratic partner, the UK will continue to uphold Ukraine's sovereignty in the face of those who seek to destroy it."

He added: "We urge Russia to step back and engage in dialogue to find a diplomatic resolution and avoid further bloodshed."

Fears of an imminent Russian incursion in Ukraine have grown in recent days, despite denials from Moscow and pleas from Zelensky to avoid panic over a massive Russian military build-up on the border.

Johnson's announcement was part of the latest flurry of diplomatic responses to the crisis.

The British statement said: "The UK has long been a staunch supporter of Ukrainian sovereignty. Since 2015, British Armed Forces have trained over 22,000 Ukrainian troops to defend themselves."

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Johnson and Zelensky will on Tuesday discuss the "ongoing Russian hostile activity", the statement added, covering "the full range of strategic UK support to Ukraine".

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Johnson is set to speak to Putin, telling parliament on Monday he would do so "as soon as I can", while urging the Russian leader to choose the diplomatic path on the Ukraine issue.

Source: aawsat

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