Boris Johnson has spoken exclusively to GB News on the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The former Prime Minister met with Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine’s former ambassador to the UK and reaffirmed his belief that Ukraine will win.
Addressing GB News viewers, Johnson said: “Hi folks, I’m here on the second anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine.
“I’m here in in Kyiv, where, in spite of everything those gallant, heroic Ukrainians are fighting on.
Boris Johnson met with Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine’s former ambassador to the UK
GB News/Reuters
“And I’ve got absolutely no doubt that they are going to win. And I think that with the support of the West, provided we do the right thing, given the right support militarily, politically and economically, the courage of Ukrainians, their natural determination to fight for their homeland will prevail.
“But I’m very happy to be joined by a friend who I’ve worked with for years, former ambassador to London Vadym Prystaiko.”
The ex-PM asked the ex-ambassador how he saw the current situation.
Prystaiko replied: “There is hope raising maybe because people like you and so many foreign dignitaries came and they don’t come empty handed.
“They come in with ideas how to get Ukraine into the world’s agenda. How to bring weapons. How to impose sanctions. How to get Russian money frozen all around the globe to help Ukraine gain territory and gain hope.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the front lines near the city of Kharkiv
Reuters
Johnson proceeded to ask Prystaiko if he had a message for GB News viewers, to which he replied: “There’s great support of the people there and the government, regions everywhere, I felt it.
“I’ve seen Ukrainian flags. I remember everything we’ve done in parliament, or even just talking to the soldiers or people on the street who were inviting the Ukrainian refugees.
“All of this mounts to what we felt in the in the UK and it was actually being translated all over the Europe.
“You were pushing the Europeans and sometimes our friends over the pond to do more and more. Look at where we are now. We’re supported by Germany, supported by France. We wouldn’t be there without the UK’s initial push. Thank you very much.”
Johnson then wrapped up, giving a lowdown of the war effort so far.
He said: “And don’t forget folks, although things look tough for Ukraine and have looked tough for the last two years, the simple facts are that they’ve kicked Vladimir Putin’s armies out of more than half of the territory that they originally occupied.
“About 315,000 Russian troops have been killed or injured, a ratio of probably seven to one when you compare it with what the Ukrainian armed forces have suffered.
“They’ve taken out thousands and thousands of Russian tanks, 40 per cent of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet and yet Ukraine’s exports are back up to pre-war levels.
“So I’ve got absolutely no doubt that with the right support from the West, Ukraine can win and it’s vital in the months ahead that we give them that support.
“This is unconventional report, but here we are in Kyiv on the sad second anniversary with a Ukrainian population that in my view is absolutely determined still to win. And they’re gonna win.”
