Prepare for the long haul, UK鈥檚 PM tells Western allies

By: 3 years ago

Britain鈥檚 Prime Minister Boris Johnson (2nd L) gestures as he speaks to Air Loadmaster 99 Squadron Sergeant Tom Clare (L) and officer commanding operations wing at RAF Brize Norton Wing commander Andy Hampshire (R) on board a C17, after arriving at RAF Brize Norton, west of London having returned from Kyiv in Ukraine, on June 18, 2022. AFP

LONDON鈥擝ritain鈥檚 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned allies to prepare for a long war in Ukraine, urging sustained support for Kyiv or risk 鈥渢he greatest victory for aggression鈥� since World War II.

In an article for The Sunday Times, Johnson said Ukraine鈥檚 foreign backers should hold their nerve to ensure it has 鈥渢he strategic endurance to survive and eventually prevail鈥�.

Johnson made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Friday, a day after European leaders from France, Germany, Italy and Romania were in the Ukrainian capital to back the country鈥檚 EU ambitions.

The British premier offered President Volodymyr Zelensky a ramped up military training programme to help in its fight against Russian forces.

鈥淭ime is now the vital factor,鈥� Johnson wrote in a 1,000-word article posted online on Saturday night.

鈥淓verything will depend on whether Ukraine can strengthen its ability to defend its soil faster than Russia can renew its capacity to attack. Our task is to enlist time on Ukraine鈥檚 side.鈥�

To help, he outlined a four-point plan for 鈥渃onstant funding and technical help鈥�, levels of which should be maintained for 鈥測ears to come鈥� and potentially be increased.

Johnson has previously warned of a drawn-out conflict lasting until the end of next year. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly called on Nato allies for more weapons and equipment.

Russian troops failed to take Kyiv after invading on February 24, and fighting has switched to the south and east.

Western nations have slapped wide-ranging restrictions on pro-Kremlin Russian businesses and individuals but there is concern the conflict is exacerbating global economic difficulties.

Johnson, himself battling inflation at 40-year highs at home and spiralling domestic fuel prices, however told allies that economic concerns should not lead to a rushed settlement in Ukraine.

Allowing President Vladimir Putin to keep territory in Ukraine would not lead to a more peaceful world, he said.

鈥淪uch a travesty would be the greatest victory for aggression in Europe since the Second World War,鈥� he added.

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