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Unexpectedly, Boris Johnson resigned as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. A prime minister who has been persecuted by scandals and where poor leadership remains as a picture of his term. The UK has major challenges. Problems after BREXIT, high inflation and poor economy. The war in Ukraine comes on top of this. A war Boris Johnson will be remembered as one of Ukraine’s best friends. The worst that can happen to Ukraine now is a long time before a new prime minister is in place at 10 Downing Street.

Boris Johnson a symbol of Ukraine’s friends

The jubilation is probably on Putin’s ceiling in Moscow. The reason is hardly that Britain will get a new prime minister who will radically change the country’s support for Ukraine. No, it is the vacuum that is now emerging that is good news for Putin. How much support can Ukraine’s close allies provide during this period? Will the successor provide the same amount of support to Zelensky?

Especially if it takes until October before a new prime minister is in place, it will be good news for Putin. A prime minister on dismissal will not be able to provide the same support as before. The new Prime Minister will come from the same party. This means that support for Ukraine remains stable. It will do so no matter which party the Prime Minister comes from in Britain. The question is how much support the new government is willing to provide.

UK after BREXIT

There is little doubt that the UK is struggling after BREXIT. The challenges have been in line for Boris Johnson throughout the period. Major problems with obtaining labor from abroad were hardly foreseen in advance. The unresolved customs borders with Northern Ireland are another problem.

Boris Johnson has had a need to show that the UK is still an important player internationally. Through its support for Ukraine, the country has taken a leading role in the resistance to Russia’s brutal war. For the incumbent government, it is important to show that the British still play a major role in international politics. The question is whether the new administration is willing to provide the same amount of support. Before we get the answer, cheers are high in Moscow, while in Kyiv nails are bitten.

Sources:

Glee in Russia and sadness in Ukraine as Boris Johnson quits | Boris Johnson | The Guardian

Boris Johnson: World reacts as UK PM resigns – BBC News