Ukraine's Zelensky hails Boris Johnson's 'historic leadership'

Ukraine’s Zelensky hails Boris Johnson’s ‘historic leadership’ and claims NATO WILL send tanks to help his army destroy Russian forces after ‘barbaric’ massacres as UK steps up efforts to tighten sanctions on Putin’s war machine

• Mr Johnson today said Britain ‘will never waver from supporting our friends’ 
• UK to push for tougher international sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s regime 
• Expected to act as a facilitator to help send armour to help Kyiv’s resistance
• Downing Street has also refused to rule out supplying anti-ship missiles 

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky hailed Boris Johnson’s ‘historic leadership’ in marshalling military help for his embattled country – as the UK vowed to deliver more defensive aid to kick out the Russian invaders.

The Prime Minister today said Britain ‘will never waver from supporting our friends’ in a sign of an increased commitment to defend Ukraine that could include armour and anti-ship missiles.

The UK is to push for tougher international sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s regime and increase supplies of arms to Ukraine as evidence of atrocities continue to emerge from the war zone.

While the UK is not expected to deliver any of its own tanks it could act as a facilitator for other allied nations to supply them to Kyiv. 

Downing Street has also refused to rule out supplying anti-ship missiles to prevent amphibious landings in Odessa. 

Mr Johnson highlighted the Nlaw and Javelin anti-tank systems and Starstreak anti-air missiles which the UK has already supplied to Ukraine, as well as protective helmets and body armour.

But in his talks with Mr Zelensky on Saturday he indicated there will be further help on offer.

Mr Zelensky said there will be a ‘new package’ of ‘very, very tangible support’, while No 10 said the Prime Minister ‘committed to continue to step up defensive support’.

In a video address last night the Ukrainian president said: ‘Thank you Boris for the leadership! Historical leadership. I’m sure of it.’ 

In a video address last night the Ukrainian president said: ‘Thank you Boris for the leadership! Historical leadership. I’m sure of it.’

The Prime Minister today said Britain ‘will never waver from supporting our friends’ in a sign of an increased commitment to defend Ukraine that could include armour and anti-ship missiles.

The UK is to push for tougher international sanctions against Vladimir Putin ‘s regime and increase supplies of arms to Ukraine as evidence of atrocities continue to emerge from the war zone. Mr Zelensky is pictured today in Bucha

While the UK is not expected to deliver any of its own tanks it could act as a facilitator for other allied nations to supply them to Kyiv.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will meet Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in Warsaw on Monday ahead of key G7 and Nato talks later this week where she will push for tougher economic measures against ‘the Putin war machine’.

Ms Truss argues that weakening Russia’s economy will help strengthen Ukraine’s hand in peace negotiations with Moscow.

She will hold talks with Polish counterpart Zbigniew Rau on Tuesday and has also pledged a £10 million civil society fund for Ukraine, including support for organisations dealing with sexual violence following reports of Russian forces using rape as a way to terrorise the civilian population.

There has also been widespread international outrage about other atrocities, including possible mass executions carried out by Russian forces as areas around the capital, Kyiv, returned to Ukrainian control.

Mr Johnson, who spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the weekend, used a video posted on social media to show his support for the country’s efforts to resist the Russian invasion.

He said: ‘All the tanks and guns in Vladimir Putin’s arsenal will never break the spirit of Ukraine’s people or conquer their homeland.’ 

No 10 would not be drawn on exactly what could be provided but the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said scenes over the weekend were ‘barbaric’.

He said: ‘These are despicable attacks against innocent civilians and they are yet more evidence that Putin and his army are committing what appear to be war crimes in Ukraine and certainly leave us in no doubt that it’s entirely right to continue to go further on sanctions, on defensive military aid, and all other measures to put pressure on Putin and his regime to turn back and stop this war.’

He added: ‘We will continue to speak with our allies about how we can move further and as much as possible in lockstep to continue to ratchet up the pressure.’

The spokesman also urged countries to cut off reliance on Russian gas and oil.

‘We know that different countries are exposed to relying on Russian oil and gas more than others and so that presents different challenges,’ he said.

‘But they should all – and we should all – be moving at maximum speed to cutting out oil and gas because it is simply the money that we are providing, that these countries provide, to Russia that is funding the Russian war machine and we should be in no doubt about where that money is going.’

The Russian focus in Ukraine appears to have shifted from attempts to besiege Kyiv to efforts around the south and east of the country.

British defence intelligence analysts said that includes the deployment of mercenaries from the Wagner Group – seen as Mr Putin’s private army – in the Donbas area.

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