Boris Johnson visits Kyiv, as Britain promises Ukraine armored vehicles and anti-ship weapons.

Making a shock go to to Ukraine’s capital, Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain on Saturday promised extra navy gear and missiles to Ukraine, underscoring his nation’s position as Europe’s most enthusiastic supporter of the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

Britain will present 120 armored automobiles in addition to new anti-ship missile programs to the Ukrainian navy, Downing Road stated in an announcement issued to coincide with the prime minister’s assembly with Mr. Zelensky. That’s along with £100 million, or about $130 million, value of navy gear that Mr. Johnson pledged to Ukraine on Friday.

Mr. Johnson and Mr. Zelensky praised one another at a information convention after their assembly for his or her cooperation for the reason that Russian invasion, Reuters reported. The Ukrainian president referred to as for “an entire ban on Russian power provides, and improve the supply of weapons to us.”

Mr. Johnson replied: “Along with our companions, we’re going to ratchet up the financial strain and we are going to proceed to accentuate, week by week, the sanctions on Russia.” He stated these measures would come with shifting away from Russian fossil fuels.

On Saturday, Mr. Johnson additionally promised that, topic to parliamentary approval, Britain would assure an extra $500 million in World Financial institution lending to Ukraine, taking its complete mortgage assure to round $1 billion. Britain has not, nonetheless, supplied to produce tanks to Ukraine, as a substitute offering gear that may be outlined as defensive.

Britain has additionally despatched Subsequent Technology Mild Anti-Tank Weapons, which have proved helpful for cellular Ukrainian fighters to make use of in opposition to Russia’s armored automobiles.

Mr. Johnson has established shut ties with Mr. Zelensky, speaking to him repeatedly by telephone and alluring him to deal with the Home of Commons by video final month, the primary of numerous digital speeches Mr. Zelensky gave to international parliaments.

There was hypothesis final month that Mr. Johnson would go to Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, after the leaders of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia went there. However that journey didn’t materialize for weeks, and Saturday’s go to by the British prime minister was a shock.

Different Western politicians have additionally made the journey to Kyiv just lately to emphasize their assist for Ukraine and for Mr. Zelensky, together with Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Fee.

On Friday, she traveled to the Ukrainian city of Bucha, the place retreating Russian troopers are accused of killing dozens of civilians. She condemned the killings and promised to attempt to pace Ukraine’s efforts to change into a member of the European Union.

On Friday, Slovakia’s prime minister, Eduard Heger, additionally went to Kyiv to satisfy with Mr. Zelensky and to announce the switch of an air-defense system to Ukraine. On Saturday the Austrian chancellor, Karl Nehammer, additionally met with Mr. Zelensky within the Ukrainian capital.