United Kingdom: internationally the resignation of Boris Johnson between regrets and relief
Boris Johnson and Volodymyr Zelensky in the streets of kyiv on April 9, 2022. AP
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5 mins
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will step down after numerous resignations from his own scandal-ridden government.
His announced departure caused reactions beyond British borders, revealing the geopolitical challenges ahead for the future Prime Minister.
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There will not be many people to miss Boris Johnson in Brussels, as the European Union had the impression of serving as a firewall for him during his mandate, and of having been instrumentalized to make people forget his failures on the national, recalls our correspondent in the Belgian capital,
Jean-Jacques Héry
.
Boris Johnson seen from Brussels is first of all the man who does not respect the treaties he has nevertheless signed.
The most telling example: that of the Northern Irish protocol.
It was a crucial point of the Brexit agreements which provided for the absence of an economic border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in order to maintain the unity of the island, as well as customs and health checks between Great Britain and Northern Ireland with a mixed status for the latter, both in the British customs area and in the single market of the Union.
Last June, a bill to circumvent this protocol was passed at first reading by British MPs.
The EU, furious, considers that this questioning of the treaties is illegal and has also launched an infringement procedure against the United Kingdom.
After years of intense tension, the European Union hopes that the departure of Boris Johnson, Brexit champion, will be an opportunity to renew dialogue with London on Northern Ireland, but caution prevails pending his successor.
“
Boris Johnson's reign ends in disgrace, as does his friend Donald Trump.
The end of an era of transatlantic populism?
Let’s hope
so,” tweeted Belgian MEP Guy Verhofstadt, a staunch federalist and former European Parliament Brexit coordinator.
Boris Johnson's reign ends in disgrace, just like his friend Donald Trump.
The end of an era of transatlantic populism?
Let's hope so.
EU - UK relations suffered hugely with Johnson's choice of Brexit.
Things can only get better!
🇪🇺🇬🇧
— Guy Verhofstadt (@guyverhofstadt) July 7, 2022
For former EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, the departure of Boris Johnson "
opens a new page in relations with the United Kingdom
".
"
May it be more constructive, more respectful of the commitments made, particularly in terms of peace and stability in Northern Ireland, and more friendly with the partners of the European Union, because there is still a lot to do together
", he urged.
The European Commission declined to comment on this departure.
She added that “
political developments
” do not change her desire to “
seek solutions
” to the dispute over post-Brexit customs arrangements in Northern Ireland.
Biden avoids Johnson's name
The historical ally of the United Kingdom has for its part avoided pronouncing the name of “BoJo”.
US President Joe Biden said on Thursday that his country would continue its "
close cooperation
" with the United Kingdom, particularly on Ukraine, in a statement issued after the resignation of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, but without telling him once. reference.
“
The United Kingdom and the United States are closest friends and allies, and the special relationship between our peoples remains strong and enduring
,” Biden said.
“
I look forward to continuing our close cooperation with the UK government, as well as with our allies and partners around the world, on a range of high-priority issues
,” he added.
First priority: the war in Ukraine.
The president called for: "
a strong and united approach to support the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Putin's brutal war on their democracy, and to hold Russia accountable for its actions
."
Zelensky expresses his “sadness”
Unsurprisingly, Russia was one of the first countries to react officially at the first signs on Thursday of the fall of the British Prime Minister.
"
We hope that one day more professional people who are able to make decisions through dialogue will come to power in Britain
," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
The British Prime Minister "
doesn't like us very much and neither do we
"
, he added.
Boris Johnson was one of the most resolute and eloquent Western politicians in his support for kyiv in its fight against the Russian invasion.
Ukrainian Head of State Volodymyr Zelensky therefore called Boris Johnson on the phone to tell him of his “
sadness
” at his departure from the presidency of the British Conservative Party, the Ukrainian presidency said in a statement.
“
We all greeted this news with sadness.
Not only me, but also the whole Ukrainian society which sympathizes very much with you
”, declared Mr. Zelensky, before insisting on the recognition of the Ukrainians for the support of the British Prime Minister.
Boris Johnson has “
been firm in his support for Ukraine.
As a friend told me, '
he is like a god in Ukraine
'
,” even tweeted Alina Polyakova, director of the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA).
Johnson, despite the domestic scandals, has been solid in his support for Ukr, crafting an assertive policy for Ukr to win and supplying weapons.
As a friend told me “He is like a god in Ukraine” let's hope that smart policy doesn't change https://t.co/B1a8Z1asNT
— Dr. Alina Polyakova (@apolyakova) July 7, 2022
"
We have no doubt that Britain's support will continue, but your personal leadership and charisma have made it special
," the Ukrainian president wrote.
The telephone conversation also focused on military and political cooperation between the two countries and negotiations to unblock grain exports from Ukrainian ports.
►
To read also: United Kingdom: Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces his resignation as head of the Conservative Party
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UK
Boris Johnson
Volodymyr Zelensky
Russia
Joe Biden
European Union