As he returned from a surprise visit to the war-torn country, Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned the international community against “Ukraine fatigue.”
It would be a “catastrophe” if Russian President Vladimir Putin were successful in Ukraine, the prime minister said upon his return from a surprise visit to the country, a trip that has been criticized as an attempt to escape domestic problems.
Mr. Johnson canceled his appearance at a northern Tories conference on Friday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
When asked if he timed the visit to avoid a cold reception from red wall MPs in the wake of the partygate scandal, he stated that it was crucial to demonstrate support for Ukraine at a “particularly critical time.”
Mr. Johnson told reporters at RAF Brize Norton upon his return that it was crucial to demonstrate the United Kingdom’s support at a time when Ukrainians were “suffering horribly” due to the ongoing Russian offensive in the Donbas.
The concern we have is that Ukraine fatigue is beginning to set in around the globe, he said.
We must demonstrate “long-term commitment” and provide the “strategic resilience” they require, he said.
He warned that if Russian President Vladimir Putin won the war, it would be a “catastrophe.”
Mr. Johnson indicated during his discussions with President Zelenskyy that the United Kingdom would be willing to train tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops as they continue to fight back against the Russians.
He stated that Ukrainians deserved assistance in regaining territory, but refrained from demanding the return of all lands Ukraine had lost since 2014, including Crimea.
The prime minister stated that it was crucial to prevent the Russians from “freezing” the conflict to consolidate their gains before launching a new assault.
“We must make it clear that we support the Ukrainians in their ambitions… to expel the Russians, expel Putin’s armies, from everything he has gained since February 24; and we must ensure that the Ukrainians are not encouraged to settle for a bad peace, one that would not last.”
Mr. Johnson, who faced difficulties at home, received a warm reception in Ukraine.
Television footage of Mr. Zelenskyy showing the prime minister the charred remains of Russian tanks and other vehicles on display in St. Michael’s Square in Kyiv.
On Thursday, the Tories are widely predicted to lose a crucial by-election in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.
Christopher Geidt, his ethics adviser, resigned on Wednesday.
Some hoped that the Prime Minister’s attendance at the inaugural Northern Research Group (NRG) conference in Doncaster would provide him with an opportunity to mend relations with red wall MPs following his narrow confidence vote victory.
