Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Sunday, meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky and promising that the UK “will support Ukraine for as long as necessary.”

Johnson, who resigned in September after a series of scandals, was prime minister when Russia invaded Ukraine last February and has sought to position London as Kyiv’s main ally in the West.

During his trip, Johnson visited Borodianka and Bucha, suburbs of the Ukrainian capital that became a symbol of Russian atrocities when Russian troops were driven back to Kyiv in the first phase of the invasion before being pushed back.

“I can tell you that the UK will stay in Ukraine for as long as it takes,” Johnson told the mayor of Butsa.

“You will win and drive all Russians out of your country, but we will be there for a long time. And we also want to help you rebuild your country,” Johnson said.

Johnson dismissed suggestions that his activities in Ukraine could be seen as undermining British Prime Minister Russi Sunak.

During his tenure, Johnson visited Kyiv several times and spoke frequently by phone with President Zelensky.

When he became embroiled in scandals in the UK, he gained wide popularity in Ukraine, where he became known as “Boris Johnson”. In Kyiv, cakes were named after him, and street art was created with his image.

In Butse, Johnson took a selfie with residents and laid flowers in memory of war victims. He visited the church to visit an exhibition and signed the Ukrainian edition of his book on Winston Churchill.

On Borodyanka, he walked the streets of destroyed residential areas. Kyiv Region Governor Oleksiy Kuleba, who accompanied him, said 162 residents were killed during Russia’s month-long occupation of the city last year. Kuleba said about 60% of the residents have since returned.

In Kyiv, Johnson was personally received by Zelensky and a number of high-ranking officials, including the foreign minister and the head of the presidential administration.

Last week, the UK said it would supply Ukraine with 14 Challenger 2 tanks and other heavy equipment.

Source: Reuters.