Boris Johnson makes surprise visit to Kyiv for Ukraine independence day

Boris Johnson made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Ukraine’s Independence Day.

The outgoing British Prime Minister met Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky.

Mr Johnson tweeted: “What happens in Ukraine matters to us all. That is why I am in Kyiv today. That is why the UK will continue to stand with our Ukrainian friends.

On his third secret visit to Kyiv, he added: “I believe Ukraine can and will win this war.”

Mr Johnson announced another £54 million package of military support for Ukraine including 200 state-of-the-art drones and loitering munitions to help its forces to better track and target Vladimir Putin’s troops.

It also includes 850 hand-launched Black Hornet micro-drones, designed specifically for use in towns and villages to detect approaching enemy forces.

Military personnel can be trained to fly the helicopter drones, which are smaller than a mobile phone, in under 20 minutes.

Each drone feeds back live video and still images to allow forces on the ground to defend urban areas.

Britain has been at the forefront of the West’s efforts to provide Kyiv with modern weapons which are believed to be strengthening Ukrainian resistance to Mr Putin’s invasion launched six months ago.

Mr Johnson received “The Order of Liberty” – Ukraine’s highest award that can be bestowed on foreign nationals – for Britain’s strong support of its freedom.

The Prime Minister also urged the West to show “strength and solidarity” in its support for Ukraine, with British military intelligence chiefs expecting the war to go on into at least next year.

Mr Johnson stressed: “For the past six months, the United Kingdom has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine, supporting this sovereign country to defend itself from this barbaric and illegal invader.

“Today’s package of support will give the brave and resilient Ukrainian Armed Forces another boost in capability, allowing them to continue to push back Russian forces and fight for their freedom.

“What happens in Ukraine matters to us all, which is why I am here today to deliver the message that the United Kingdom is with you and will be with you for the days and months ahead, and you can and will win.”

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Britain has committed more than £2.3 billion of military and financial aid to Ukraine since the invasion began on February 24.

It is also preparing to give minehunting vehicles to Ukraine to detect Russian mines in the waters off its coast.

Ukrainian personnel will be trained how to use them in UK waters in the coming weeks, as part of an expanded programme of training for the country’s forces.

Mr Johnson became the first leader of a G7 country – US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Japan – to visit Kyiv since Mr Putin’s invasion when he went under tight security and a veil of secrecy in April.

He returned on a second trip in June.

The Prime Minister will leave office on September 6, the day after either Foreign Secretry Liz Truss or former Chancellor Rishi Sunak emerges as the winner in the Tory leadership contest.

Mr Johnson has formed a close bond with Mr Zelensky, and his latest visit appears intended to demonstrate that the links between the two countries will continue once he has left No10.

Ukrainians have praised Britain, and Mr Johnson, for the support given since their country was invaded.