Johnson has been one of Ukraine’s staunchest supporters as it tries to defend itself against Russia’s unprovoked attack, and Wednesday’s trip was his third visit to the Ukrainian capital since the war began in late February. He became one of the first foreign leaders to make the precarious trip to the Ukrainian capital in late April, then returned for another surprise visit in June. Downing Street said Wednesday’s visit was Johnson’s last trip to Ukraine before he steps down next month. While many foreign leaders and other top officials have traveled to Ukraine in recent months, Johnson stands out as one of the most frequent visitors. Polish President Andrzej Duda has also visited Kyiv three times so far this year. Johnson has forged a close relationship with Zelensky, who said he was sorry to see the British prime minister leave power when the ruling Conservative Party forced him to resign in July. On Wednesday, Zelensky gave Johnson a going-away gift, awarding him the Order of Freedom for “the work Boris has done for our country and all of Europe.” “Ukraine is lucky to have a friend, not everyone is lucky to have one,” Zelensky said, adding that the help he has received from the UK “really brings us closer to victory.” The UK has provided more than 2.3 billion pounds ($2.71 billion) in military and financial aid to Ukraine since the start of the invasion, according to a Downing Street statement. On Wednesday, the UK government announced it would provide Ukraine with mine hunting vehicles and drones worth 54 million pounds ($63.5 million). It also said it would send Ukraine mine hunting vehicles designed to help detect mines in the water and train Ukrainian personnel on how to use them in UK waters in the coming weeks. Johnson was not the only foreign official to visit Kyiv on Wednesday. Portuguese Foreign Minister João Gomes Cravinho visited earlier in the day, saying on Twitter that it was “an honor and a privilege to be here on such an important day for Ukraine. Count on Portugal’s full solidarity and support!” Johnson and Gomes Cravinho traveled to Ukraine despite warnings that Moscow may choose to step up attacks due to Ukraine’s Independence Day. Zelensky himself had previously warned Ukrainians to be extra careful on Independence Day, stressing in his Tuesday night speech that “heinous Russian provocations and brutal blows are possible.” CNN’s Niamh Kennedy, Benjamin Brown, Radina Gigova and Karem Smith contributed to this article.
