Brits must endure high energy bills at hands of Putin while Ukrainians 'pay in blood', says Boris Johnson

24 August 2022, 15:34 | Updated: 24 August 2022, 23:54

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged Brits to withstand soaring energy bills because they are the 'price' to pay for the Russian invasion - and Ukrainians are "paying in their blood".

Boris Johnson travelled to Kyiv on Wednesday in a show of strength and solidarity with Ukraine to mark the six month anniversary of the war and to join the nation's independence celebrations.

Whilst there, he said the UK must "stay the course" of soaring bills and "keep going" because it is the price for "the evils of Vladimir Putin".

"We know that if we’re paying in our energy bills for the evils of Vladimir Putin, the people of Ukraine are paying in their blood," Mr Johnson said.

"That’s why we know we must stay the course.

"Because if Putin were to succeed, then no country on Russia’s perimeter would be safe, and ... [that] would be a green light for every autocrat in the world that borders could be changed by force.

"To all our friends, I simply say this – we must keep going. We must show, as friends of Ukraine, that we have the same strategic endurance as the people of Ukraine."

Boris Johnson posted a picture of himself alongside Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy after making the surprise trip to Kyiv.

"What happens in Ukraine matters to us all," he said on Twitter.

"That is why I am in Kyiv today. That is why the UK will continue to stand with our Ukrainian friends.

"I believe Ukraine can and will win this war."

Read more: 'Ukraine's fighting and open for business': UK unveils new digital trade agreement 6 months after Russia's invasion

Boris Johnson says UK must continue to support Ukraine in Russia’s “hideous war”

Today also to marks 31 years of Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union.

While meeting President Zelenskyy the Prime Minister also outlined the UK’s next major package of new support, including unmanned surveillance and anti-tank loitering munitions requested by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

This package of unmanned air systems includes 850 hand launched Black Hornet micro-drones, which are specifically designed for use in towns and villages, and are deployed to detect approaching enemy forces.

Military personnel can be trained to fly the helicopter drones, which are smaller than a mobile phone, in under 20 minutes.

Each drone feeds back live video and still images to allow forces on the ground to defend urban areas safely.

Boris Johnson said: "For the past six months, the United Kingdom has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine, supporting this sovereign country to defend itself from this barbaric and illegal invader.

Read more: Biden announces nearly three billion dollars in new military aid for Ukraine

"Today’s package of support will give the brave and resilient Ukrainian Armed Forces another boost in capability, allowing them to continue to push back Russian forces and fight for their freedom.

"What happens in Ukraine matters to us all, which is why I am here today to deliver the message that the United Kingdom is with you and will be with you for the days and months ahead, and you can and will win."

In his final visit to the country before leaving Downing Street, the Prime Minister also received Ukraine’s highest award that can be bestowed on foreign nationals, 'The Order of Liberty', for the UK’s staunch support of Ukraine’s freedom.