'I Will Do Whatever I Can': Ex-PM Johnson Visits Zelensky in Kyiv

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Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was greeted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv during a surprise visit on Sunday, January 22.

Footage shared by the Office of the President of Ukraine shows Johnson meeting Zelensky in Kyiv. Johnson can be heard saying “You shouldn’t have bothered… oh dear, I’m too honored,” as he approaches the Ukrainian President and the pair shake hands.

Johnson also visited the suburbs of Borodyanka and Bucha, local media reported.

Speaking about destruction he had seen near Hostomel, Johnson said “I will do whatever I can, I really will, I really will.”

Sunday’s visit took place without British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, with British media reporting that Johnson was invited privately by Zelensky.

Though no longer Prime Minister, Johnson remains a Conservative MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip in London. He does not hold a ministerial position. Credit: Office of the President of Ukraine via Storyful

Video Transcript

BORIS JOHNSON: Thank you very much. Thank you for your help. It's really fantastic. You shouldn't have bothered. Oh, dear. I'm too honored. You do me too much honor, Mr President. You do me too much honor.

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY: Anything to see you, of course.

BORIS JOHNSON: It is amazing to see you.

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY: You're welcome. How are you?

BORIS JOHNSON: Very, very good. Very, very good. Great to see you.

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY: Thank you for coming.

BORIS JOHNSON: It's an absolute honor to be here again.

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY: It's an honor for us.

BORIS JOHNSON: No, you're too kind and you're too generously--

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY: All our team is--

BORIS JOHNSON: Spending time on a Sunday. It's nice to see you again.

- Nice to meet you.

BORIS JOHNSON: Nice to see you. Nice to see you again. Nice to see you-- my God, you're all here. I can't believe it. Can't believe it. How are you? Nice--

- Very welcome back, sir.

BORIS JOHNSON: Thank you very, very much.

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY: Where did you go?

BORIS JOHNSON: Terrible. Terrible. I went to Bucha and Borodyanka. We drove-- we drove past Hostomel out. So I saw some of the forest filled with bivouacs and--

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY: The results of attacks.

BORIS JOHNSON: Yeah.

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY: Nice.

BORIS JOHNSON: Appalling.

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY: Yeah.

BORIS JOHNSON: Appalling, and it's still going on every day. I will do whatever I can.

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY: Thank you so much.

BORIS JOHNSON: I really will. I really will. Anyway, thank you.

[INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC PLAYING]

We decided [INAUDIBLE]

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY: Thank you so much. Thank you for anything you do to support us.

BORIS JOHNSON: [INAUDIBLE]

[MUSIC SWELLS]