3 May 2022 | NEWS
The Prime Minister has addressed the Ukrainian Parliament today, claiming that while the West had failed to help Ukraine collectively, it was promising more military aid.
Boris Johnson addressed the Ukrainian Members of Parliament in a video call today as the people of the Ukraine continue to defend the country from Russian forces.
In the speech in front of the Verkhovna Rada (the Ukrainian Parliament), Mr Johnson expressed his regret that the West had not acted strongly enough against Russia, going back as far back as 2014 when Russia invaded the Crimean region of Ukraine. The Prime Minister also announced the details of military aid that would be given to Ukraine to continue the fight against the Russian army.
Mr Johnson is the first world leader to address the Ukrainian parliament since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. He was also the first world leader to visit the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv when he went last month.
He began his speech by commending the bravery of the Ukrainian people in standing up the Russia. He stated: “You have exploded the myth of Putin’s invincibility and you have written one of the most glorious chapters in military history and in the life of your country.
“The so-called irresistible force of Putin’s war machine has broken on the immovable object of Ukrainian patriotism and love of country.
“This is Ukraine’s finest hour – that will be remembered and recounted for generations to come.”
He continued by saying: “Your children and grandchildren will say that Ukrainians taught the world that the brute force of an aggressor counts for nothing against the moral force of a people determined to be free.
“They will say that Ukrainians proved by their tenacity and sacrifice that tanks and guns cannot suppress a nation fighting for its independence, and that is why I believe that Ukraine will win.”
However, he also expressed his regret that the West did not counter Russian aggression sooner. He said that the West “cannot make the same mistake” as it did by not paying heed to Russia’s invasion of Crimea, explaining that the West had been “too slow to grasp what was really happening”.
The Ukrainian President, President Zelensky, responded to Boris Johnson’s address to the Parliament by paying tribute to Britain’s assistance in the conflict. He said: “It is not scary when such an evil enemy is against you if such a good friend is next to you – such as Great Britain.”
The United Kingdom will be sending the Ukrainian Army reinforcements in the form of military equipment. This will include night-vision devices, a counter-battery radar system, electronic warfare equipment and GPS jammers.
