The world reacts to the fall of Boris Johnson

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision on Thursday to step down as leader of his Conservative Party, paving the way for a new PM to take over, has provoked a wide spectrum of reactions around the world.

Johnson, who resigned as Tory leader after a series of scandals and an exodus of cabinet members, divided opinion on the world stage and provoked fierce reactions from many countries and their leaders.

The United States said it would continue its “close cooperation” with Britain, including their joint support of Ukraine against Russian aggression, US President Joe Biden said.

“The United Kingdom and the United States are the closest of friends and allies, and the special relationship between our people remains strong and enduring,” Biden said in a statement.

“I look forward to continuing our close cooperation with the UK government,” he added, including “maintaining a strong and unified approach to supporting the people of Ukraine in defending against Putin’s brutal war on their democracy and the Consolidation of Russia responsible for its actions.”

After years of strained relations with Britain, the EU saw hope for improved relations following the resignation of Brexit champion Johnson, although caution persisted.

While the European Commission publicly avoided commenting on the political upheaval in Britain, others around Brussels let loose.

“Boris Johnson’s departure opens a new page in relations with the UK,” tweeted Michel Barnier, the EU’s former top Brexit negotiator.

“May it be more constructive and respectful of the commitments made, particularly in relation to peace and stability in Northern Ireland, and kinder to partners in the EU. Because there is so much more to do together.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Boris Johnson to express his “sadness,” Kyiv said.

“We all greet this news with sadness. Not only me, but also the entire Ukrainian society, which sympathizes with you very much,” the presidency quoted Zelenskyy as saying, reiterating how grateful Ukrainians are for the support of the British Prime Minister since the Russian invasion.

Johnson is considered one of Ukraine’s most vocal and passionate supporters in the West.

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said Boris Johnson’s decision to step down was “an opportunity” to reignite strained relations.

Martin added that relations between Dublin and London have “been strained and challenged of late”, not least because of rows over special post-Brexit trade deals in Britain-led Northern Ireland.

“We now have an opportunity to return to the true spirit of partnership and mutual respect needed to underpin the achievements of the Good Friday Agreement,” Martin said in a statement.

The 1998 peace accord ended decades of bloodshed over British rule in Northern Ireland, but was increasingly strained by Brexit.

The Kremlin said it hoped “more professional people” would come to power in Britain.

“We hope that one day more professional people will come to power in Britain who can make decisions through dialogue,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. “But at the moment there is little hope for that.”