Boris Johnson makes surprise visit to Kyiv to meet with Zelensky

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson met face to face with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday, a surprise visit that marks the latest show of solidarity with the former Soviet state as it continues efforts to beat back a Russian invasion.

Andriy Sybiha, deputy head of the Ukrainian president’s office, confirmed on Facebook that Zelensky and Johnson met.

“Right now Boris Johnson’s visit to Kiev began with a tet-a-tet meeting with President Zelensky. Great Britain leader in defense support of Ukraine. The leader in the anti-war coalition. Leader in sanctions on Russian aggressor,” Sybiha said.

In his own post to the social media outlet, Zelensky said that Johnson is “one of the most principled opponents of the Russian invasion” and a “leader in sanctions pressure.”

A Downing Street spokesperson told The Washington Post that the British leader traveled to Ukraine to show “solidarity with the Ukrainian people.”

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer also met with Zelensky on Saturday, according to the Ukrainian leader.

“Discussed with Karl Nehammer strengthening sanctions pressure on Russia, supporting the energy, oil embargo on the aggressor, our EU membership. The world must do everything it can to stop war. We appreciate Austria’s support on this journey,” Zelensky said in a post on Facebook, showing the two holding a press conference together.

“Thank you for the open and honest conversation and the friendly welcome in Kyiv @ZelenskyyUa. Austria knows what the Ukrainian people are currently suffering. We will help where we can to alleviate humanitarian suffering and end this war,” Nehammer said on Twitter.

The arrival of the British and Austrian leaders comes one day after several other European leaders came to meet with Zelensky.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Commission Vice President Josep Borrell Fontelles both met with the Ukrainian president on Friday. 

“Indeed, I started my day today with a visit to Bucha because being in Bucha and seeing what has happened, you can tell that our humanity was shattered in Bucha,” von der Leyen said during a press conference on the day.

“And it is right and just that the world has voted to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council,” von der Leyen added.

The leaders promised to provide an added 500 million euros for the Ukrainian military and start on a sixth wave of sanctions.