Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is ‘very happy’ Boris Johnson survived last night’s confidence vote.
The Tory leader narrowly won the ballot by 211-148 (59%), and came closer to being ousted than Theresa May did in 2018.
Today, Ukraine’s prime minister offered his verdict on the outcome of the vote.
Mr Zelensky described Mr Johnson ‘a true friend’ as he spoke over video link to an event hosted by the Financial Times.
He told the newspaper: ‘I am very happy about this. Boris Johnson is a true friend of Ukraine.
‘I regard him as our ally, and Great Britain as a great ally.’
Speaking through a translator, Mr Zelensky added: ‘Boris is supporting us. Boris is very concrete in supporting Ukraine.
‘I do not know who was responsible for this decision yesterday but I’m glad we have not lost a very important ally. This is great news.
‘That is all I can say.’
Tory rebels had triggered a ballot on whether Mr Johnson should continue in Downing Street after months of scandal, with momentum picking up following the publication of the Sue Gray report into lockdown parties.
Ahead of the vote on Tuesday, the Prime Minister shared a picture of himself on the phone to Mr Zelensky.
‘President (Zelensky) just updated me on the ongoing battle against Russian aggression in the Donbas,’ Mr Johnson had tweeted.
‘It’s clear the Ukrainian people will not bow to Russian brutality.
‘We’re unwavering in our mission of ensuring Ukraine is defended and supported for the long-term.’
In another tweet, he also posted about rocket launchers being sent to Ukraine.
The Prime Minister later told MPs on the 1922 Committee that it was the wrong time for ‘unforced domestic political drama’.
And he has insisted to reporters his 59% winning margin was a ‘decisive’ result he can ‘draw a line’ under.
But backlash from politicians across the political spectrum is still far from over.
Today, William Hague called on Mr Johnson to step down, saying ‘the damage done to his premiership is severe.’
The former Tory leader wrote in The Times: ‘Words have been said that cannot be retracted, reports published that cannot be erased, and votes have been cast that show a greater level of rejection than any Tory leader has ever endured and survived.’
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