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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Patrick Edrich

Boris Johnson promises 'unwavering support' to Ukraine after visiting Kyiv

Boris Johnson pledged more support to Ukraine following an unannounced meeting with the Ukrainian president on Saturday.

Downing Street said Mr Johnson was meeting President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv to discuss a new package of financial and military aid to support Ukraine against Russia's invasion. Mr Johnson's presence in Ukraine was highlighted by the Ukrainian embassy in the UK posting a picture of two leaders with the caption "surprise".

A Downing Street spokesperson said: "The Prime Minister has travelled to Ukraine to meet President Zelensky in person, in a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people. They will discuss the UK’s long term support to Ukraine and the PM will set out a new package of financial and military aid.”

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After their meeting Downing Street promised to send 120 armoured vehicles and new anti-ship missile systems to Ukraine. It came a day after the UK announced a further £100m for military assistance to Ukraine including anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles. The Prime Minister called it "unwavering support" to Ukraine.

Images released by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office showed Mr Johnson and President Zelensky in a meeting before the pair took a walk around Kyiv. It's believed to be the first in person meeting between the pair since the Russian invasion begun on February 24.

Last month Conservative Chairman Oliver Dowden said the PM was "desperate" to go to war-torn Ukraine and see "what is happening to people on the ground".

Mr Johnson yesterday condemned Russia's 'war crime' attack on Ukrainian civilians who were trying to flee at a train station. The Prime minister blasted the “unconscionable” strike saying “Russian crimes in Ukraine will not go unnoticed or unpunished” as Ukraine said the death toll had risen to 50.

Following his meeting with President Zelensky a tweet from Mr Johnson's twitter said: The Ukrainians have the courage of a lion. President Zelensky has given the roar of that lion. The UK stands unwaveringly with the people of Ukraine. Slava Ukraini."

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