UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a secret trip to Ukraine to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The trip was conducted with utmost secrecy. The Prime Minister flew to Poland and then traveled by Ukrainian rail to meet up with Zelensky in the Ukrainian capital, and arrived in Kyiv without the world knowing. It was not until footage of Johnson and Zelensky strolling the streets emerged that the media and international community even knew.
After Johnson returned to the UK, a spokesperson confirmed that he had voyaged to Ukraine.
Johnson was reportedly “desperate” to visit Kyiv for the past several weeks. His trip came a day before the European Commission president Ursula von Der Leyen, Polish president Andrzej Duda and Austrian chancellor Karl Nehammer arrived.
The trip was supposed to be a secret until Johnson returned to the UK. Then the Ukrainian embassy in London tweeted out a photo of the two leaders together, with the word “surprise” and a winking emoji.
Johnson and Zelensky walked Kyiv together, visiting Independence Square and a monument to the “Heavenly Hundred” heroes who died in pro-EU protests in 2014.
At a meeting with Zelensky, the two leaders sat alone across a large desk, and Johnson pledged more armored vehicles and anti-ship missile systems.
In a recorded broadcast clip, Johnson said that the west will continue to “ratchet up” sanctions against Russia. He also praised the courage of the Ukrainian people and their resistance to Russia, saying that Ukrainians have “shown the courage of a lion.”
He promised that the UK and others will supply equipment, technology, know-how, and intelligence so that Ukraine won’t be invaded again, and will be fortified and protected.
The latest support package from the UK shows a significant increase in military assistance. Johnson received a warm welcome, both from the Ukrainian public, as well as the Ukrainian government.
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