Prime Minister Boris Johnson goes to Ukraine

Everett WA

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Boris Johnson visits Kyiv to meet Volodymyr Zelensky in 'surprise' 'show of solidarity' to discuss new financial and military aid package - a day after pledging another £100m of weapons to Ukraine including armoured vehicles and anti-aircraft missiles A picture shared by Ukrainian officials showed Johnson and Zelensky sitting across a table from one-another Details of their meeting had not been made public prior to the image's release on Saturday afternoon The Embassy of Ukraine to the UK shared the picture, simply writing: 'Surprise' with a winking face emoji A No 10 spokesman later said the PM was using the visit to set out a new package of financial and military aid Last month, it was reported that the Prime Minister had asked officials to examine the practicality and value of the trip to the Ukrainian to meet Zelensky. Security officials were said to be 'having kittens' at the prospect But in recent days, Moscow has pulled its forces back from Kyiv to redeploy them elsewhere in Ukraine Johnson's visit makes him the first G7 leader to travel to Kyiv since Putin launched his invasion on February 24 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has met Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv today in an unannounced visit, after travelling to the capital late on Friday. A picture shared by Ukrainian officials showed the pair sitting across a table from each other in a grand room, their respective flags on the far-side. Johnson was wearing a dark suit and Zelensky a khaki overall, his signature attire in public appearances since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. Details of the meeting had not been made public prior to the image's release. The Embassy of Ukraine to the UK was one of the first to share the picture, writing: 'Surprise' with a winking face emoji. A No 10 spokesman said the Prime Minister was using the visit to set out a new package of financial and military aid, and comes the day after he announced a further £100million worth of UK military assistance for Kyiv's forces, including anti-tank and anti-aircraft weaponry and so-called 'suicide drones'. 'The Prime Minister has travelled to Ukraine to meet President Zelensky in person, in a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people,' the spokesman said. 'They will discuss the UK's long term support to Ukraine and the PM will set out a new package of financial and military aid.' After the talks, Downing Street added Britain will send 120 armoured vehicles and new anti-ship missile systems to support Ukraine. Official photos released later showed Mr Zelensky welcoming the British leader in a courtyard in Kyiv, before the pair entered a building for their meeting. Mr Johnson later posted his own picture of the meeting on Twitter, saying he was there 'as a show of our unwavering support for the people of Ukraine'. After their meeting, Mr Zelensky wrote: 'The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson is one of the most principled opponents of the Russian invasion, a leader in sanctions pressure on Russia and defense support of Ukraine. Welcome to Kyiv my friend.' Mr Johnson's visit makes him the first G7 leader to visit Kyiv since Vladimir Putin launched his invasion, and follows trips to Kyiv by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Friday and the visit of the Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer earlier on Saturday.