Boris Johnson to satisfy U.S. Republicans, push Ukraine help

By Gram Slattery

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will meet with Republican lawmakers this week as he presses america to maintain help to Ukraine because it fights off Russia’s assault.

Johnson is scheduled to talk at a personal Republican membership in Washington on Tuesday night, stated Consultant Joe Wilson, a member of the Home of Representatives International Affairs Committee. He’s additionally scheduled to satisfy with a bunch of Republican senators, stated U.S. Senator Todd Younger on Monday, although he stated he was unaware of the precise timing of the talks.

On Wednesday, Johnson will focus on the necessity for “Western unity and assist for Ukraine and what extra might be accomplished in opposition to the menace Russia poses” on the Atlantic Council assume tank.

The Republicans took over the Home from the Democrats at first of this 12 months and a few hardline members of the Republican convention have referred to as for an finish to U.S. navy and different help to Ukraine, which quantities to tens of billions of {dollars}.

Johnson, who left workplace in September following a collection of scandals, was prime minister when Russia invaded Ukraine in February final 12 months. He sought to place the UK as Ukraine’s high ally within the West and has continued to take action.

Throughout a visit to Ukraine this month, Johnson visited Borodyanka and Bucha, suburbs of the capital Kyiv that turned a byword within the West for Russian atrocities. Moscow denies allegations by Ukraine and its Western allies that it has dedicated warfare crimes.

In a Washington Submit opinion piece revealed on Monday, Johnson argued for the admission of Ukraine to the NATO safety alliance.

“Ukrainians needs to be given every part they should end this warfare, as rapidly as doable, and we must always start the method of admitting Ukraine to NATO, and start it now,” he wrote.

Wilson, who might be among the many lawmakers assembly Johnson, is a staunch Ukraine supporter, having even advised the location of a bust of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy within the U.S. Capitol.

Johnson’s workplace didn’t reply to a request for remark, nor did the workplace of Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the highest Republican lawmaker.

(Reporting by Gram Slattery, further reporting by Patricia Zengerle in Washington and Andrew Macaskill in London; enhancing by Grant McCool)