Johnson on Friday afternoon met with president Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev announcing a major training operation for Ukrainian forces with the potential to train up to 10,000 soldiers every 120 days.
Under the programme, Ukrainian forces would be trained outside of the country, Johnson's office said. Each soldier would spend three weeks learning battle skills for the front line, as well as basic medical training, cyber-security and counter explosive tactics, it added.
Johnson’s unannounced visit was his second trip to Kiev since Russia invaded Ukraine in February and the latest show of support for Zelensky.
"My visit today, in the depths of this war, is to send a clear and simple message to the Ukrainian people: the UK is with you, and we will be with you until you ultimately prevail," Johnson said.
The presidents discussed the state of play at the front line and the need to ramp up supplies of heavy weapons and to build up Ukrainian air defences, Zelensky said in a short statement delivered next to Johnson.
"We have a shared vision of how to move towards victory because that it is exactly what Ukraine needs - the victory of our state," Zelensky said.
The British PM's visit came a day after the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Romania travelled to Kiev and endorsed Ukraine's candidate status to join the European Union.
Johnson, who faces political pressure at home, has grown in popularity in Ukraine as Britain has poured in military and political support to Kiev during the Russian invasion.
One cafe in Kiev is selling an apple dessert named the Borys Dzhonsonyuk, a Ukrainianised version of the prime minister's name.
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Source: Reuters