In a meeting that was kept secret until Johnson appeared in the Ukrainian capital, the two leaders consolidated the close ties they had cultivated since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. The move restricts weeks of lobbying by Johnson to meet Zelensky. With the two men standing on the platforms in front of the cameras, they praised each other for their co-operation in the Russian invasion, which Moscow calls a “special operation” to demilitarize and “demilitarize” its neighbor. Zelensky dismisses the description, saying Russia wants to destroy his country. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register “We have to put more and more pressure on the Russian Federation, to work harder to help the people of Ukraine defend it against the Russian Federation and to strengthen sanctions,” Zelensky said. “Other Western democracies should follow the example of Great Britain. It is time to impose a complete ban on Russian energy supplies and increase arms supplies to us.” Johnson replied: “Together with our partners, we will increase the economic pressure and continue to intensify, week by week, the sanctions in Russia.” He added that the measures would include the removal from the use of Russian hydrocarbons. Earlier, his Downing Street office said Britain would supply the country with 120 armored vehicles and new anti-ship missile systems. Johnson’s aides say the two leaders have spoken almost daily since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The British leader, under pressure for alleged parties at his Downing Street residence during the COVID-19 lockdown, has voiced his support for Zelensky. Earlier on Saturday, the Ukrainian leader’s office released photos showing the two men talking at a table. Johnson met Zelensky “as a sign of solidarity with the Ukrainian people,” a Downing Street spokesman said. On Zelensky’s Telegram channel, Johnson was described as “one of the main opponents of the Russian invasion, a leader in imposing sanctions on Russia and providing defense support to Ukraine.” Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Report by Pavel Polityuk, Elizabeth Piper, William Schomberg and Natalia Zinets. Writes Nerijus Adomaitis. Editing by Angus MacSwan, Alex Richardson and Jan Harvey Our role models: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.