UK assist for Ukraine will ‘not waver’, Johnson tells Zelensky

Boris Johnson spoke to Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, telling the Ukrainian president that UK assist will “not waver” no matter who turns into the subsequent prime minister.

The Prime Minister additionally welcomed information of much-anticipated deal to get grain out of Ukraine, amid hopes that the settlement can keep away from a worldwide meals disaster.

In a name between the 2 leaders, Mr Johnson “burdened the UK’s ongoing willpower to assist the Ukrainian folks and stated that resolve won’t waver, irrespective of who turns into the subsequent UK prime minister”.

A Downing Avenue spokeswoman stated, “President Zelensky thanked the PM for his staunch assist for Ukraine, and for his variety phrases in his final tackle to Parliament.

“The Prime Minister outlined the current steps the UK has taken to bolster Ukraine’s resistance, together with coaching 1000’s of Ukrainian troops within the UK.

“The UK is working to broaden this coaching effort, together with via the involvement of worldwide companions. President Zelensky stated the navy assist being offered by the UK and others is making an actual distinction within the battle.

“The Prime Minister welcomed as we speak’s announcement of a UN-brokered deal to get grain out of Ukraine through the Black Sea and finish Russia’s blockade. Each the Prime Minister and President Zelensky burdened the necessity for the deal to be carried out in full by all events.”

Russia and Ukraine on Friday signed separate agreements with Turkey and the United Nations to clear the way in which for exporting thousands and thousands of tons of desperately wanted Ukrainian grain in addition to Russian grain and fertiliser.

The strikes finish a stand-off that had threatened meals safety around the globe.

Mr Johnson, who has been a staunch supporter of the Ukrainian struggle towards Russia, additionally spoke with Mr Zelensky about plans to host Eurovision and the therapy of UK prisoners being held by Russian-backed forces.

“The leaders mentioned their ongoing concern in regards to the therapy of prisoners being held by Russian-backed forces in Ukraine, together with these of British nationality. The Prime Minister thanked President Zelensky for his authorities’s efforts thus far to safe detainees’ freedom,” the spokeswoman stated.

“The Prime Minister paid tribute to the function President Zelensky has performed and should proceed to play in upholding a good and correct judicial system in Ukraine.

“The Prime Minister and President Zelensky talked in regards to the ongoing discussions in regards to the internet hosting of Eurovision subsequent 12 months. The Prime Minister burdened that wherever Eurovision is held it should be an occasion which celebrates and honours the nation and folks of Ukraine.”

International Secretary Liz Truss on Friday additionally praised the efforts of Turkey and the UN to assist attain the deal on grain, saying that Vladimir Putin’s “barbaric invasion of Ukraine has meant a number of the poorest and most susceptible folks on the planet are liable to having nothing to eat”.

“It is important that Ukrainian grain reaches worldwide meals markets, and we applaud Turkey and the UN Secretary Common for his or her efforts to dealer this settlement,” she stated.

“The UK and our allies have been pushing exhausting to succeed in this level.

“Now this settlement should be carried out, and we might be watching to make sure Russia’s actions match its phrases. To allow an enduring return to international safety and financial stability, Putin should finish the conflict and withdraw from Ukraine.”