Boris Johnson meets US Republicans, pushes Ukraine assist

WASHINGTON: Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with Republican lawmakers on Tuesday, urgent the US to maintain assist to Ukraine to assist it struggle off Russia’s assault.

Johnson spoke with US Home of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the highest Republican, in his workplace and is scheduled to talk at a non-public Republican membership within the night, stated Consultant Joe Wilson, a member of the Home Overseas Affairs Committee.

Johnson can be scheduled to fulfill with a bunch of Republican senators, stated US Senator Todd Younger, although he stated he was unaware of the precise timing.

On Wednesday, Johnson will talk about the necessity for “Western unity and help for Ukraine and what extra will be carried out in opposition to the risk Russia poses” on the Atlantic Council assume tank.

The Republicans took over the Home from the Democrats firstly of this 12 months and a few hardline members among the many Republicans have referred to as for an finish to US army and different help to Ukraine, which quantities to tens of billions of {dollars}.

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“I’m right here primarily to acknowledge and pay tribute to the immense US contribution to the safety of the Ukrainian folks,” Johnson stated in a press release.

“My mission is to reveal that Ukraine will win – and that there is no such thing as a conceivable case for delay in additional supporting the Ukrainians to win this 12 months. We shouldn’t have any concern of escalation on the subject of the availability of weaponry.”

McCarthy’s workplace didn’t reply to a request for remark.

Johnson, who left workplace in September following a sequence of scandals, was prime minister when Russia invaded Ukraine in February final 12 months. He sought to place the UK as Ukraine’s prime ally within the West and has continued to take action.

Throughout a visit to Ukraine this month, Johnson visited Borodyanka and Bucha, suburbs of the capital Kyiv that grew to become a byword within the West for Russian atrocities. Moscow denies allegations by Ukraine and its Western allies that it has dedicated conflict crimes.

In a Washington Submit opinion piece printed on Monday, Johnson argued for the admission of Ukraine to the NATO army alliance and that the method ought to begin now.

Wilson, who shall be among the many lawmakers assembly Johnson, is a staunch Ukraine supporter, having even recommended the position of a bust of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy within the US Capitol.