Former British prime minister Boris Johnson in heavily-damaged Borodianka near Kyiv on Sunday. Reuters
Former British prime minister Boris Johnson in heavily-damaged Borodianka near Kyiv on Sunday. Reuters
Former British prime minister Boris Johnson in heavily-damaged Borodianka near Kyiv on Sunday. Reuters
Former British prime minister Boris Johnson in heavily-damaged Borodianka near Kyiv on Sunday. Reuters

Boris Johnson visits Ukraine for first time since stepping down as UK PM


Laura O'Callaghan
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Boris Johnson was spotted in the Ukrainian town of Bucha on Sunday morning chatting to residents as he toured the area.

The British MP and former prime minister was seen greeting a crowd before getting into a car, guarded by soldiers.

The Conservative politician's visit comes as he faces calls for an ethics investigation following reports he received help in the form of a loan from the man he later recommended to head the BBC.

Rishi Sunak is “supportive” of Mr Johnson’s visit to Ukraine, No 10 Downing Street said.

The Prime Minister’s press secretary said he was “always supportive of all colleagues showing that the UK is behind Ukraine and will continue to support them”.

Mr Johnson visited Ukraine three times during his tenure in No 10. His latest excursion to Ukraine is his first since stepping down as prime minister last September.

In a video released by the President’s office in Kyiv, Mr Johnson was seen approaching President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a group of officials in Kyiv.

Mr Johnson could be heard saying that they “shouldn’t have bothered” with the formal greeting. “I’m too honoured,” he added.

“You do me too much honour, Mr President,” he told Mr Zelenskyy, who replied: “Good to see you Boris, welcome.”

Mr Johnson told Mr Zelenskyy that his entourage had driven past Hostomel, a city north-west of Kyiv, where he had witnessed the effects of “appalling” Russian attacks.

“And it’s still going on every day,” added Mr Johnson. “I will do whatever I can, I really will, I really will.”

Mr Johnson said his latest trip came after he was invited by Mr Zelenskyy.

“It is a privilege to visit Ukraine at the invitation of President Zelenskyy,” he said.

“The suffering of the people of Ukraine has gone on for too long.

“The only way to end this war is for Ukraine to win — and to win as fast as possible. This is the moment to double down and to give the Ukrainians all the tools they need to finish the job.”

Mr Johnson said the sooner Russian President Vladimir Putin's war failed, “the better for Ukraine and for the whole world”.

He took part in a wreath-laying ceremony in Bucha, where mass graves were uncovered last year following the Russians' withdrawal.

Mr Johnson was pictured alongside Orthodox priest Andrew placing flowers in tribute to those killed in the area, during a visit to a local church.

Mr Johnson's plans to travel to Ukraine were first reported in January and sparked criticism from MPs who warned he could risk undermining Mr Sunak's authority.

Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the Defence Select Committee in the UK Parliament, told The Guardian at the time that Mr Johnson should “not interfere with the messaging or the official lines of communication” between London and Kyiv.

Earlier this week, Mr Johnson spoke in a panel discussion on Ukraine at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he was introduced as a “legendary figure” in Ukraine.

Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances

All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.

Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.

Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.

Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.

Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.

Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.

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Updated: January 22, 2023, 2:39 PM`