'He's not the lion but he gives the roar': Boris compares Zelenskyy to Churchill

24 March 2022, 08:25 | Updated: 24 March 2022, 08:28

Boris Johnson compared Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Winston Churchill
Boris Johnson compared Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Winston Churchill. Picture: Alamy/LBC

By Will Taylor

Boris Johnson has compared Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Churchill because of his brave wartime leadership.

The Prime Minister told LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast the comedian-turned-statesman "may not have been the lion but he's been privileged to give the roar", evoking one of his hero's famous quotes.

Mr Johnson, an aficionado of Britain's Second World War PM who has written a book of him, lavished praise on Mr Zelenskyy.

The president has earned respect around the world for his defiant messages issued even as Russian forces invaded his country en masse.

He refused to flee the capital Kyiv despite him and the city being considered Vladimir Putin's prime target.

Speaking to Nick before flying to a Nato summit in Brussels, Mr Johnson said: "I think that President Zelenskyy has proved to be a quite remarkable leader of his people - he's rallied them and he's been their voice.

"He knows, as Churchill said of himself, he may not have been the lion but he's been privileged to give the roar.

Read more: Boris wants to punish Putin by going for Russia's gold as 'he already crossed red lines'

Read more: Boris Johnson: It is 'beyond satire' Russia would be allowed to host Euro 2028

PM: We have a duty to help protect Ukrainians.

"It's the Ukrainian people who have been the lion, and he's expressed their will and their sense of defiance."

Mr Johnson and Mr Zelenskyy are said to have a very positive relationship, with reports recently claiming the latter serenaded the Prime Minister with an alternative rendition of "All You Need is Love" by The Beatles in a call.

He reportedly replaced the word "love" with "NLAW", the missile launcher sent by the UK which has laid waste to Russia's armoured vehicles.

Ukrainians have also joked they will shout "God save the Queen when they fire the weapons.

To be compared to Churchill by Mr Johnson shows how highly the Prime Minister rates Mr Zelenskyy, too.

The Ukrainian president himself had referred to a famous Churchill speech as he gave a historic address to MPs in the House of Commons through videolink.

PM says he will go after Russia's gold as Putin has crossed red lines

"We will not surrender, we will not lose, we will go to the end. We will fight at sea, we will fight in the air, we will protect our land.

"We will fight everywhere… we will not surrender."

Mr Johnson also told Nick that he wanted to urge more measures against Russia, including possibly going after its gold reserves.

He is due to meet Nato leaders in Brussels on Thursday. He is also due to dispatch some 6,000 missiles to Ukraine to help their defence of their country – with Kyiv’s military apparently going on the counter-offensive in some places.

Mr Johnson also dismissed Russia’s attempts to host Euro 2028, a rival bid to Britain and Ireland’s, as “beyond satire”.

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

LBC callers react to Israel’s ‘risky’ strike on Iran

LBC callers react to Israel’s ‘risky’ strike on Iran

Caller in Israel warns against Iran becoming a nuclear-armed state

Caller in Israel warns against Iran becoming a nuclear-armed state

Caller points out that Israel denied entry to Labour MPs as UK comes under fire for new sanctions

Caller points out that Israel denied entry to Labour MPs as UK comes under fire for new sanctions

Caller Layla

Caller Layla fears for her daughters following Kemi Badenoch's Burqa comments

Caller Barry

LBC caller backs the government's reversal on the winter fuel allowence

Nick Ferrari is unsure about caller Bill's proposal to turn migrant hotels into prisons

Nick Ferrari is unsure about caller Bill's proposal to turn migrant hotels into prisons

Call the Cabinet: Nick Ferrari is joined by Environment Secretary Steve Reed to take your calls

Call the Cabinet: Nick Ferrari is joined by Environment Secretary Steve Reed to take your calls

LBC reaction: 1200 Channel migrants arrive in a single day

LBC reaction: 1200 Channel migrants arrive in a single day

Exclusive
'Elite mindset' and ‘left-wing opinion’ fuelling migrant crisis says Nick Ferrari as he slams government

'Elite mindset' and ‘left-wing opinion’ fuelling migrant crisis says Nick Ferrari as he slams the government

Reform, racism and ‘a perverse Batman’ | LBC’s best callers of the week

Reform, racism and ‘a perverse Batman’: LBC’s best callers of the week

'Farage is a media-made man'

David and Nick debate whether 'tiny and ridiculous' Reform gets too much airtime

Tube worker John

Tube worker shares his close encounters with fare dodgers

LBC callers react to Netanyahu calling out Starmer for being on the 'wrong side of humanity'

LBC callers react to Netanyahu calling out Starmer for being on the 'wrong side of humanity'

LBC callers react as the UK suspends trade talks with Israel

LBC callers react as the UK suspends trade talks with Israel

LBC callers react: UK, France and Canada threaten Israel with sanctions

LBC callers react: UK, France and Canada threaten Israel with sanctions

LBC caller ‘annoyed’ by reaction to UK-EU deal

LBC caller ‘annoyed’ by reaction to UK-EU deal