Visiting kyiv, Boris Johnson promises new weapons to Ukraine
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in kyiv, April 9, 2022. AP
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On a visit to kyiv this Saturday, April 9, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged to provide Ukraine with armored vehicles and anti-ship missiles.
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In Ukraine, Britain is often seen as Europe's number one political and military ally.
And again, Boris Johnson, visiting kyiv, did not arrive empty-handed.
After paying tribute to the Ukrainian army which he says has accomplished the greatest feat of arms of the 21st century, the British Prime Minister has pledged to supply Ukraine with 120 armored vehicles and anti-ship missiles .
"
What Putin did to Boutcha and Irpin are war crimes and have permanently tarnished his reputation and the representation of his government
," he blasted in a joint statement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Vladimir Putin “
suffered a setback.
(…) He will intensify the pressure now in the Donbass and the East
, ”warned Boris Johnson.
“
That is why it is so vital...that we, your friends, continue to offer whatever support we can.
»
►
To read also: "I turned my head, I saw all these corpses on the ground": Boutcha, an open-air cemetery
This aid is in addition to that announced Friday by the United Kingdom including Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles and 800 anti-tank missiles, as well as drones intended for "precision strikes" against the Russian army.
Anti-ship missile systems will strengthen the defense of the port of Odessa, while anti-tank missiles of the NLAW and Starstreak type will continue to reinforce various army corps, specifies our correspondent in Kiev,
Stéphane Siohan
.
Such portable equipment allowed the Ukrainians to rout a large number of Russian armored vehicles.
Boris Johnson also announced a billion dollar loan to Ukraine, as well as the lifting of customs tariffs on Ukrainian imports.
The British official also promised to intensify “
week after week
” sanctions against Russia and to “
move away from the use of Russian hydrocarbons
”.
"
Other western democratic states must follow the UK's example
," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“
It is time to impose a total embargo on Russian hydrocarbons, to increase arms deliveries to us
,” he continued.
All of our daily, live coverage of the war in Ukraine.
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Ukraine
UK
Boris Johnson
Volodymyr Zelensky