Boris Johnson’s resignation as prime minister should not significantly affect UK support for Ukraine, even as the war against Russia drags on and the costs continue to pile up. “As far as British policy is concerned, we believe it remains unchanged,” former infrastructure minister Volodymyr Omelyan told Fox News Digital. “No matter who comes to take over as prime minister, he or she will pay equal attention to the international agenda.” Johnson announced on Thursday his intention to step down from the top job after growing calls for him to step down from his party along with dozens of ministers resigning from his government over a series of scandals that had led to a “loss of confidence” from the public. FILE – In this picture provided by the Presidential Press Office of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson shake hands during their walk in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday April 9, 2022. When British Prime Minister Boris Johnson survived a no-confidence vote this week, at least one other world leader shared his relief. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it was “good news” that “we have not lost a very important ally”. (Press Office of the Ukrainian Presidential Press via AP, File) (Press Office of the Ukrainian Presidential Press via AP, File) But with Johnson’s resignation comes the fear that Ukraine has lost one of its staunchest allies: Only perhaps President Biden has remained so fiercely committed to Ukraine’s defense in the face of Russian invasion. BORIS JOHNSON RESIGNS: WHAT IS IN THE UK Johnson made two separate visits to Kyiv, including one shortly after Russia withdrew from the capital as a sign of support and confidence in Ukraine’s achievements. The first visit drew praise from all corners for Johnson’s courage in entering a war zone. But British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace assured Ukraine on Thursday that the UK would remain “very square behind” Kyiv despite Johnson’s resignation. “The UK’s aid to Ukraine is not just from one person,” Wallace told Sky News. “Neither I, nor the Prime Minister. It’s all the effort.” “Actions matter in all of this and while the Prime Minister will be incredibly sad to leave this post, he has led from the front in Ukraine, as he has on Covid and, obviously, Brexit, and I think that is not lost. many people.” COMPLETED MIXED LIST OF CANDIDATES TO SUCCESSION TO BORIS JOHNSON WITH NO ‘HEIR OBVIOUS’ Ted Bromund, Senior Research Fellow at the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, told Fox News Digital that he doesn’t think the UK will change its position, as the party itself has promoted an anti-Putin stance and agenda that won’t go away with Johnson. “You have to bear in mind that, you know, the UK has had Russian assassinations on its soil, it has a long history now of deploying troops to the Baltic nations in support of the NATO mission,” he argued. “He has a long history, unlike France and Germany, of being really willing to put his money where his mouth is as far as opposing the Russians.” UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, March 9, 2022. (Embassy of Ukraine in the UK) And Ukrainian officials do not question Britain’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, regardless of who takes over. Omelyan said he was “very grateful for all Boris Johnson’s efforts to help Ukraine and we believe he was and still is a great, charismatic leader.” “We want to do our best to be with our allies in the first year of the year, and with this great memory and great efforts, I think the previous policy will remain the same,” he said. “In Ukraine, we are all very grateful to ourselves and wonderful in difficult circumstances.” UKRAINE WAR: NATO COALITION’S STRENGTH IS CURED BY ‘FRAGILE’ GOVERNMENTS FACING ECONOMIC HARASSMENT, PETRAIOUS SAYS Support for Ukraine has shaken in Europe, with polls showing that after strong solidarity with Kyiv in the first 100 days of the invasion, the public now appears more divided about its long-term goals. The European Council on Foreign Relations found that most countries would prefer a “peaceful” solution to continuing to pursue “justice” for Ukraine. Former Ukrainian infrastructure minister Volodymyr Omelyan joined the territorial defense force on the first day of the invasion. (Volodymyr Omelyan) But Omelyan believes the threat of Russian aggression against other European nations will prompt the leaders of those countries to continue supporting Ukraine in its defense: French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi visited Kyiv and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky just last month as a “message of European unity”. “We understand that it’s not about people getting irritated or bored, let’s say,” Omeylan said. “This war in Europe is about the future.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “If you remember the first weeks of the war, not all European Union or European nation leaders supported Ukraine, but the world stood by us,” he added. “The big difference is that the leaders have finally understood the threat coming from Russia and will do everything possible.” “Ukrainians are dying, but Europeans are still not losing their lives. May there never be a war in the European Union or NATO member states.” Peter Aitken is a Fox News Digital reporter with a focus on national and global news.
