Boris Johnson stressed that the UK has already prepared a package of sanctions, which will be automatically introduced „at the moment when there is a further incursion into the sovereign territory of Ukraine.” He added that the sanctions would target „Russia’s strategic trade interests„.

„Great Britain […] provides Ukraine with military support. We will also strengthen our economic cooperation,” he assured. 

„A further Russian invasion of Ukraine would be a political catastrophe, a humanitarian catastrophe, and in my opinion – for Russia and the whole world – also a military catastrophe,” stressed the British Prime Minister.

Johnson further warned that the Ukrainian nation would not stay passive and is ready to defend itself. „There are 200,000 men and women under arms in Ukraine, [who] will but a very fierce and bloody resistance. Parents and mothers in Russia should think about it and I very much hope that President Vladimir Putin will withdraw from the path of conflict and get involved in dialogue,” he continued. 

“Our friends will always be welcome. Especially those willing to help in difficult times, like Boris Johnson. Thank you for your fruitful cooperation, support & assistance to our defence capabilities. We look forward to further developing cooperation for security and peace in Europe,” Volodymyr Zelenski tweeted after the meeting. 

In turn, Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki also paid a visit to the Ukrainian capital. 

„There will be no safe Europe without a sovereign Ukraine. There will be no independent Ukraine without the support of the EU and NATO. My visit to Kyiv today is an expression of solidarity with the Ukrainian state that is under threat from Russia. Together we defend peace and security, Morawiecki wrote on Twitter following his visit. 

Cover photo: Twitter @ZelenskyyUa

Author: Sebastien Meuwissen