UK Prime Minister Makes Surprise Visit to Ukraine Before Leaving Office: "Putin Pressures with Cost of Living, But We Must Endure"

"Not the time to negotiate with Russia"... Emphasizing support commitment
Next prime minister candidates also pledge continuous support for Ukraine

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, with only about two weeks left before his retirement, made a surprise visit to Ukraine on its Independence Day and pledged a large-scale additional military aid. This move is interpreted as an emphasis on the UK’s continued support amid rising negative public opinion in European countries facing an energy crisis regarding support for Ukraine and the continuation of the war.

According to the Associated Press on the 24th (local time), Prime Minister Johnson visited Kyiv, Ukraine without prior notice, held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and then held a joint press conference. This Kyiv visit is his third since the outbreak of the war and is known to be Johnson’s last overseas trip before his retirement on the 5th of next month.

Johnson stated, “Putin is manipulating energy supplies to threaten the livelihoods of European households. However, while we are paying high energy costs, Ukrainians are shedding blood. We must not succumb to intimidation nor enter into shallow negotiations.”

He also pledged additional support of weapons and equipment worth 54 million pounds (approximately 85 billion KRW), including 2,000 attack drones and anti-tank ammunition. According to the UK Prime Minister’s Office, this military aid package will especially include Black Hornet drones used for reconnaissance, targeting, and identification purposes. The UK government is known to have provided over 2.3 billion pounds in military aid to Ukraine so far.

President Zelensky expressed his welcome for Johnson’s visit, emphasizing, “The UK helps bring our victory closer, and we are confident of victory.”

This visit by Prime Minister Johnson is interpreted as a response to criticism that European countries are reducing support for Ukraine amid the escalating energy crisis caused by Russia’s natural gas supply pressure. Johnson warned, “This winter will be tough, but as friends of Ukraine, the first test is to withstand that pressure. If Putin succeeds, no country around Russia can be safe, and it will send a green light to all dictatorships worldwide that borders can be changed by force.”

Both Liz Truss, UK Foreign Secretary, and Rishi Sunak, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, who are competing to succeed Johnson as Prime Minister, have pledged continued support for Ukraine, so the UK’s support for Ukraine is expected to continue.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.