British support for Ukraine will outlast Johnson

Although Boris Johnson was one of the West’s most vocal supporters of Ukraine after the Russian invasion, experts say the resignation of the British prime minister on Thursday will not diminish London’s support for Kyiv.

“Boris Johnson was the front man for this policy, but it is the policy of the whole British government,” said Peter Ricketts, a former UK national security adviser and ambassador to France.

“Whoever had been Prime Minister would have done almost the same thing,” although “Johnson brought his own distinctive style,” added Ricketts.

Former French Ambassador to Britain Sylvie Bermann agreed that “while the lineage will remain, the style will be different”.

With impassioned speeches and editorials, and two visits to Kyiv since the February 24 Russian attack, in addition to arms sales, Johnson won the admiration of Ukrainians.

“Johnson has solidly supported Ukraine despite domestic scandals,” tweeted Alina Polyakova, head of the Washington-based Center for European Policy Analysis, adding, “A friend told me he’s like a god Ukraine'”.

Conversely, Moscow was among the first foreign capitals to respond to news of Johnson’s imminent departure on Thursday.

“We hope that one day more professional people will come to power in Britain who can make decisions through dialogue,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

“He really doesn’t like us. And we don’t like him either,” Peskov said of Johnson.

While other nations were content to let British melodrama play out, Russia was struck by London’s early decisions to send lethal aid, including more than 5,000 anti-tank missiles, to Ukraine.

At the end of June, the UK approved a new €1bn military aid package.

When Johnson announced on Thursday he was stepping down from the Conservative leadership, he spared a line for Ukraine, saying “we in the UK will support your fight for freedom for as long as it takes”.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Johnson to express his “sadness” at his resignation.

“We all greet this news with sadness. Not just me, but the entire Ukrainian society,” Zelenskyy was quoted as saying by the presidency.

“We have no doubt that Britain’s support will continue, but your personal leadership and charisma have made it special,” he said.

Zelensky adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak tweeted his thanks to the British leader for “always being on the front line in supporting Ukraine.”

Former French diplomat Bermann said: “Johnson wanted to look like he was at the forefront, or ‘leading the world,’ as he would say.”

But “it’s not the true picture at all,” she said.

Johnson “constantly strives for the limelight, while it’s very nice for Zelenskyy to have unconditional support, but beyond that there was no role for Britain, which particularly stood out”.

Ricketts said: “The British approach has excelled a bit in being determined to show the other Europeans that we can do more.”

“Britain was one of the leaders, but all of that is eclipsed by … the Americans,” he added, labeling Washington’s response “in relation to everything the Europeans have done, including Britain.”

Russia’s invasion came as Johnson was plagued by domestic political problems, including longstanding actions over Downing Street parties during the Covid lockdown and the allegations of sexual harassment within his ruling Conservative party that eventually brought him down.

He was accused at home of using his relationship with Zelenskyy to score points, with many journalists and other social media observers joking that any new scandal would entail a visit or a phone call to Kyiv.

“He capitalized on the war to divert attention from his other problems,” Ricketts said.

Although “Johnson has established a good personal connection with Zelenskyi … there is no reason to doubt that this would be passed on to another prime minister,” he added.

“I think Zelensky would be friends with anyone useful to him.”