Boris Johnson must not disappear after stepping down as Prime Minister - Ukraine's president Zelensky

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has encouraged his 'friend' Boris Johnson to not "disappear" after he stands down as Prime Minister.

The UK is one of the major military and  benefactors to Ukraine, and has forced sanctions on Russian targets.

Johnson has visited Ukraine two times since Vladimir Putin launched the attack on 24 February and has helped in drumming Western support for Zelenskyy on the world stage.

Additionally on Tuesday July 26, Johnson gave Zelenskyy The Sir Winston Churchill Leadership Award, perceiving "extraordinary leadership by individuals".

On 6 September, Johnson will step down as prime minister following the announcement of his replacement - either Foreign Secretary Liz Truss or previous chancellor Rishi Sunak - after Conservative Party individuals have voted in favor of another pioneer.

Addressing TalkTV facilitated by Piers Morgan, Zelensky said he would like the UK state leader to remain "somewhere in politics in a position to be someone".

 

Speaking alongside his wife, First Lady Olena Zelenska, Zelensky said: "I have no right to play in politics inside the UK. What I can say is [Mr Johnson] is a big friend of Ukraine.

 

"I want him to be somewhere in politics in a position to be someone. I don't want him to disappear, but the decision is in the hands of the British people.

"But I am sure that whatever position he is going to take, he is always going to be with Ukraine. This is from the heart."

Asked about what he would say to Ms Truss or Mr Sunak when they emerge prime minister, he replied that he would be "happy to cooperate" with either as prime minister, "like we used to have with Boris".

"I know those two candidates are very respectful, and they have the support of the people and the society from the UK," Zelensky said.

 

"We know about this support. We know about the positive strength of those leaders."