Zelenskyy expresses 'sadness' at UK prime minister's departure

KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday (Jul 7) called Boris Johnson by telephone to express his "sadness" over the British leader's resignation as Conservative leader and impending departure as prime minister, Kyiv said.

"We all welcome this news with sadness. Not only me, but also all of Ukrainian society which sympathises with you a lot," the presidency quoted Zelensky as saying, reiterating how grateful Ukrainians were for the British prime minister's support since the Russian invasion.

A spokesperson for Johnson said that he promised Zelenskyy that he will continue to work with partners to end the grain blockade in the coming weeks.

"President Zelenskyy thanked the Prime Minister for his decisive action on Ukraine, and said the Ukrainian people were grateful for the UK's efforts," the spokesperson said following the call between the pair.

"The Prime Minister finished the call by praising President Zelenskyy, saying: 'You're a hero, everybody loves you'."

Johnson on Thursday bowed to the inevitable and announced he would quit as British prime minister after he dramatically lost the support of his ministers and most Conservative lawmakers, but said he would stay on until his successor was chosen.

After more than 50 ministers quit and lawmakers said he must go, an isolated and powerless Johnson said it was clear his party wanted someone else in charge, but that his forced departure was "eccentric".

"Today I have appointed a cabinet to serve, as I will, until a new leader is in place," Johnson said outside his Downing Street office where his speech was watched by close allies and his wife Carrie.
 
"I know that there will be many people who are relieved and perhaps quite a few who will also be disappointed. And I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world. But them's the breaks," he added, making no apology for the events that forced his announcement.