LONDON ¨C Ninety minutes after resigning as British prime minister on Thursday, Boris Johnson called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He told the Ukrainian leader his people had the U.K.¡¯s unwavering support in its fight against Russia, and said Britain would continue to supply vital defensive aid for as long as needed. ¡°You¡¯re a hero, Volodymyr,¡± he said, according to an aide who listened to the call. ¡°In this country, everybody loves you.¡±
In the months since Russia invaded Ukraine, Britain has become an important go-between for Zelenskyy, officials in Britain and the United States said. Part broker, part delivery service, supporting Ukraine has been a crucial part of Johnson¡¯s premiership. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba described him as a ¡°true friend of Ukraine¡± in comments sent to Reuters by his ministry.
Whoever runs Britain in coming months will face important decisions about how to pursue the policy. Johnson told Zelenskyy he still had ¡°a few weeks¡± to keep the support going, according to the aide. But Britain¡¯s leadership will be at a point of transition as Russia is steadily gaining ground in what Moscow calls a ¡°special operation.¡±
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