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Liz Truss accepts invite to visit Ukraine in first call with foreign leader as PM
Liz Truss spoke with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in her first phone call to a foreign leader as Prime Minister and accepted a visit saying he could count on the UK's support "for the long term".
The new Prime Minister held the call with Mr Zelensky within hours of being appointed, according to the Mirror.
The Ukrainian president said he had thanked the British people for their support.
Mr Zelensky tweeted: "I became the 1st foreign leader to have a conversation with the newly elected (British) PM @trussliz. Invited her to ( Ukraine ). Thanked (British) people for the major defense & economic aid for (Ukraine). It's important that (Britain) is ready to further strengthen it. Attention was paid to security guarantees.
"We discussed the participation of (Britain) in the recovery of (Ukraine). Coordinated further pressure on the RF (Russian Federation). The goal is to stop the aggression & bring the perpetrators to justice. It's important to designate the RF a terrorist state. We'll continue active interaction in all formats.."
A Downing Street spokeswoman said that Ms Truss had told the Ukrainian president that his country could count on the UK's assistance "for the long term".
I spoke to President @ZelenskyyUa this evening and reiterated our steadfast support for Ukraine’s freedom and democracy.
— Liz Truss (@trussliz) September 6, 2022
Russia's attempts to weaponise energy must not deter the West.
Ukraine can depend on the UK for support in the long term. 🇬🇧🇺🇦 https://t.co/Mai0LjY5AN pic.twitter.com/QdAAsMq8ZA
"In her first call with a counterpart since becoming Prime Minister, she reiterated to the Ukrainian leader that he had her full backing, and Ukraine could depend on the UK's assistance for the long term," she said.
"President Zelensky thanked the Prime Minister for the UK's staunch support and congratulated her on her appointment.
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"The leaders discussed the need to strengthen global security and the measures necessary to cut off the funds fuelling Putin's war machine.
"The leaders deplored Putin's attempts to weaponise energy, and the Prime Minister said it was vital Russia's blackmail did not deter the west from ensuring Putin fails. She also underscored the importance of ensuring the UK and our allies continue to build energy independence."
The spokeswoman added that the Prime Minister was "delighted" to accept an invitation to visit Ukraine.
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"She praised the Ukrainians' fight for sovereignty and self-determination and said it was essential Ukraine succeeds and Russia fails," she said.
"The Prime Minister said she looked forward to working with the president in the coming weeks and months and was delighted to accept an invitation to visit President Zelensky in Ukraine soon."
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