British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s visit to Kyiv on Tuesday

Diplomatic meetings continue on the Ukrainian file. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will travel to Kiev on Tuesday where he will discuss border tensions with the President.

“As a friend and a democratic partner, the UK will continue to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty against those who seek to destroy it,” Boris Johnson said in a statement from Downing Street. “We urge Russia to back down and engage in dialogue to find a diplomatic solution and avoid further bloodshed,” the leader continued.

Aid to Ukraine of more than 100 million euros

Discussions between the British Prime Minister and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will focus on the UK’s strategic support for Ukraine. The British government has announced that it will provide aid of 88 million pounds sterling (105 million euros) to support stable governance and reduce Ukraine’s energy dependence on Russia.

Boris Johnson received President Zelensky in Downing Street in October 2020. The two men then agreed to intensify relations between their countries in areas such as defence, trade and political cooperation. Their last meeting dates back to January 13, when they expressed their willingness to continue to work closely, alongside international partners, to prevent aggression from Russia.

New sanction system

During his visit to Kyiv, Boris Johnson was to be accompanied by his head of diplomacy, Liz Truss, but the latter announced in a tweet on Monday evening that she had tested positive for coronavirus and “will work (it) from home during his period of mandatory isolation. Liz Truss also announced on Monday in the British Parliament a bill aimed at toughening the United Kingdom’s sanctions regime, a device that could be used in the event of an attack by Russia against Ukraine.

She stressed that this sanctions regime, which must be put in place by February 10, would be the “toughest” ever put in place against Russia. At the same time, Boris Johnson told British MPs on Monday that he intended to call President Putin “as soon as possible” and again ask him to “step back” and choose the diplomatic route.