Boris Johnson is in Kyiv to mark the anniversary of the Ukraine war (Image: Good Morning Britain)
Boris Johnson has taken a subtle dig at Donald Trump by saying he “categorically rejects bizarre untruths” about the origins of the war.
The US president last week accused Kyiv of being responsible for the conflict against .
Mr Johnson, who is in the capital city to show solidarity with , said: “I am proud to be here in Kyiv on the third anniversary of Putin’s invasion.
“I salute the continuing heroism of the Ukrainian people in resisting a vile act of unprovoked aggression and I categorically reject the bizarre untruths currently being peddled about the origins of that war.
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“I urge people to keep cool and look at the facts of the continuing US support for , under , and I remain convinced that will have a great future as a free sovereign and independent nation.”
Speaking to Good Morning Britain, he added: “All the language that we are hearing about being responsible for the war, you might as well say the swimmers are responsible for attacking the shark in Jaws.”
Prime Minister Sir will head to Washington later this week to meet Mr Trump at the White House, with peace talks set to be at the top of the agenda.
His talks follow soon after French president Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the US to discuss the same issue.
The Prime Minister does not think it is unhelpful of to travel to to mark three years since ’s invasion, Downing Street has said.
Sir Keir’s official spokesman said “no” when asked if he thought his predecessor’s presence in Kyiv was unhelpful.“The Prime Minister welcomes anyone’s efforts to support the Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian president in reaching a sustainable peace,” he said.
No 10 said it did not have any details of Mr Johnson’s engagements when asked if he was getting Foreign Office support for the visit or “freelancing”.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “On the third anniversary of the start of ’s illegal invasion, we all need to remember how this war started, and restate our shared values and why we collectively back .
“The are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with . They have been battling the most flagrant breach of territorial integrity and sovereignty in Europe in recent times.
“They are on the front line, protecting the principles that underpin our whole way of life – democracy, liberty and the rule of law. I’m proud that Britain has stood with the heroes of as they defend their country, and that the UK Parliament has been united in our resolve to do all we can to back them.”