The British Prime Minister was photographed at a table opposite Mr. Zelensky on Saturday, with the Union Jack flag and the Ukrainian flag in the background. It is believed to be the first time the couple has met in person since Russia invaded Ukraine a month and a half ago, launching a war that has reportedly killed hundreds of civilians and displaced millions more. A Downing Street spokesman confirmed that the two had met in Kyiv on Saturday after a picture of the leaders together was taken by surprise on social media. “The prime minister traveled to Ukraine to meet with President Zelensky in person, as a sign of solidarity with the Ukrainian people,” said the No. 10 spokesman. “They will discuss the long-term support of the United Kingdom in Ukraine and the prime minister will present a new package of financial and military assistance.” Andriy Sybiha, an aide to the Ukrainian president, said Mr Johnson had begun his visit to Kyiv with a “four-on-four” meeting with Mr Zelensky. The Ukrainian embassy in the United Kingdom shared a picture of the two leaders meeting on Saturday, with the caption “surprise” and a winking emoji. The leader of the Tory party had previously said that the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom was “desperate” to visit Ukraine to see what was happening in the besieged country. However, a senior government official told the Independent last month that such a trip would be “foolish” and that his time would be “better spent dealing with Home Office malfunction” due to the UK’s response to the refugee crisis triggered by war. Johnson shared a photo of himself shaking Zelensky’s hand on social media on Saturday, saying he met his “friend” as “a demonstration of our unwavering support for the people of Ukraine.” “We are defining a new package of financial and military assistance that is a testament to our commitment to his country’s fight against Russia’s barbaric campaign,” he added. The visit follows the announcement of further 100 100 million worth of UK military assistance to Ukrainian forces, including anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons and so-called “suicide drones”, that roam the battlefield before attacking their target. Ukraine had urged Western allies to send more weapons as it prepared for an attack to the east as Moscow withdrew its forces from Kyiv. On Saturday, Ukrainian authorities told civilians to leave the eastern part of the country. The previous day, a train shelter carrying civilians was bombed, killing at least 52 people. Mr Johnson is believed to have visited Ukraine for the last time and met with Zelensky in early February, as the threat of a Russian invasion loomed large. The Independent has a proud campaign history for the rights of the most vulnerable and we first launched our “Welcome Refugees” campaign during the war in Syria in 2015. Now, as we renew our campaign and start this report on In the wake of the unfolding Ukrainian crisis, we call on the government to move faster and faster to secure aid. To learn more about our Refugee Campaign, click here. To sign the application click here. If you would like to donate, click here for our GoFundMe page.
title: “Boris Johnson Pictured Meeting With Volodymyr Zelensky In Kyiv Today " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-07” author: “Daniel Hall”
The British Prime Minister was photographed at a table opposite Mr. Zelensky on Saturday, with the Union Jack flag and the Ukrainian flag in the background. It is believed to be the first time the couple has met in person since Russia invaded Ukraine a month and a half ago, launching a war that has reportedly killed hundreds of civilians and displaced millions more. A Downing Street spokesman confirmed that the two had met in Kyiv on Saturday after a picture of the leaders together was taken by surprise on social media. “The prime minister traveled to Ukraine to meet with President Zelensky in person, as a sign of solidarity with the Ukrainian people,” said the No. 10 spokesman. “They will discuss the long-term support of the United Kingdom in Ukraine and the prime minister will present a new package of financial and military assistance.” Andriy Sybiha, an aide to the Ukrainian president, said Mr Johnson had begun his visit to Kyiv with a “four-on-four” meeting with Mr Zelensky. The Ukrainian embassy in the United Kingdom shared a picture of the two leaders meeting on Saturday, with the caption “surprise” and a winking emoji. The leader of the Tory party had previously said that the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom was “desperate” to visit Ukraine to see what was happening in the besieged country. However, a senior government official told the Independent last month that such a trip would be “foolish” and that his time would be “better spent dealing with Home Office malfunction” due to the UK’s response to the refugee crisis triggered by war. Johnson shared a photo of himself shaking Zelensky’s hand on social media on Saturday, saying he met his “friend” as “a demonstration of our unwavering support for the people of Ukraine.” In another statement, he said it was a “privilege” to travel to Ukraine and meet Zelensky in person. “Ukraine has defied the odds and pushed Russian forces out of the gates of Kiev, achieving the greatest arms achievement of the 21st century,” he said. He added: “I made it clear today that the United Kingdom stands by them in this ongoing struggle and we are in it for a long time. “We are strengthening our military and financial support and convening a global alliance to end this tragedy and to ensure that Ukraine survives and thrives as a free and sovereign nation.” Following talks between the two leaders, No. 10 announced that it would send 120 armored vehicles and anti-ship missile systems to support Ukraine in a “critical phase” of the war. The previous day, it had announced additional 100 100 million in military aid to Ukrainian forces, including anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons. Ukraine had urged Western allies to send more weapons as it prepared for an attack to the east as Moscow withdrew its forces from Kyiv. On Saturday, Ukrainian authorities told civilians to leave the eastern part of the country. The previous day, a train shelter carrying civilians was bombed, killing at least 52 people. Mr Johnson is believed to have visited Ukraine for the last time and met with Zelensky in early February, as the threat of a Russian invasion loomed large. The Independent has a proud campaign history for the rights of the most vulnerable and we first launched our “Welcome Refugees” campaign during the war in Syria in 2015. Now, as we renew our campaign and start this report on In the wake of the unfolding Ukrainian crisis, we call on the government to move faster and faster to secure aid. To learn more about our Refugee Campaign, click here. To sign the application click here. If you would like to donate, click here for our GoFundMe page.
