UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv and pledged his country's support for the latter's continuing fight against the Russian invasion by President Vladimir Putin.
The two officials received praise on social media platforms after they were seen walking together, which shows their solidarity in the face of Moscow's aggression. A video was captured and shared by Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, showing Johnson and Zelensky defiantly walking the streets of Kyiv and speaking with local residents.
Johnson and Zelensky
In a Twitter post, the Defense Ministry said that the footage of the two officials together was showing what democracy really looks like. They argued that it also showed courage and true friendship between people and nations.
Johnson also posted a separate tweet where he praised Ukrainians for having the "courage of a lion" amid their battle against Russian forces. He said that Zelensky has given the "roar of that lion" and said that the UK stands unwaveringly with the people of Ukraine, as per Fox News.
The Ukrainian president also urged leaders of other Western countries to follow the example of the UK prime minister. At a news conference, Zelensky said that the world had to pressure Russia using sanctions and expressed his gratitude to the UK that continues to intensify the sanctions it imposed on Moscow.
Zelensky also thanked the UK for its continued support in the form of reinforcement of its defensive capabilities. The official's remarks called on Western nations to impose an embargo on Russian energy sources and supply more weapons to his military troops.
According to the Washington Post, the UK prime minister also called Putin's war on his country "inexcusable" as he pledged to intensify sanctions on Russia. He said that the consequences were not limited to just the freezing of assets in banks and sanctioning oligarchs. He also said they include moving away from the use of Russian hydrocarbons.
Russian Invasion of Ukraine
After the meeting between Johnson and Zelensky, Downing Street said that they would be sending 120 armored vehicles and anti-ship missile systems to support Ukraine. Senior officials under the Ukrainian president praised the UK for its support.
Johnson's trip to Kyiv was not announced in advance and he was first seen in the city in a photograph together with Zelensky. A spokesman for Downing Street said that the British prime minister traveled to Ukraine to meet with the Ukrainian president.
After the meeting, the British prime minister released a statement paying tribute to Zelensky's resolute leadership and the invincible heroism and courage of his people. He argued that the country's residents have defied the odds and pushed back Russian forces from the gates of Kyiv.
Johnson added that the UK would be stepping up its own military and economic support and will convene a global alliance. It would work on bringing this tragic and horrible invasion to an end and ensure that Ukraine survives and thrives as a free and sovereign nation despite Russian aggression into its territory, BBC reported.
Related Article: Kremlin Spokesman Acknowledges 'Significant Losses' of Russian Troops in Ukraine, Calls It a 'Huge Tragedy'
