‘Jesus, that guy is brave’: PM told aides of his admiration for Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky as allies believe Russian invasion provides a chance for ‘serious Boris’ to emerge and show his leadership qualities after Partygate scandal
- Boris Johnson has spoken to Volodymyr Zelensky numerous times in past week
- Mr Johnson is said to have told aides following one call: ‘Jesus, that guy is brave’
- Allies believe Ukraine crisis gives PM the chance to show leadership qualities
Boris Johnson has told aides of his admiration for Volodymyr Zelensky as the Ukrainian President continues to lead his nation’s fightback against the Russian invasion.
The Prime Minister has spoken to Mr Zelensky on numerous occasions over the past week and has publicly paid tribute to the ‘incredible heroism’ of the Ukrainian people.
Mr Johnson is said to have turned to an aide following a phone call with his counterpart on Friday morning and said: ‘Jesus, that guy is brave.’
The premier’s allies believe the Ukraine crisis has given Mr Johnson a chance to show his leadership qualities and to persuade Tory MPs he should remain in the job following the Partygate scandal.
Boris Johnson has told aides of his admiration for Volodymyr Zelensky as the Ukrainian President continues to lead his nation’s fightback against the Russian invasion
The Prime Minister has spoken to Mr Zelensky on numerous occasions over the past week and has publicly paid tribute to the ‘incredible heroism’ of the Ukrainian people
Mr Johnson is said to have turned to an aide following a phone call with his counterpart on Friday morning and said: ‘Jesus, that guy is brave.’
Mr Zelensky is fast becoming an international hero as he stays in Kiev to coordinate Ukraine’s fightback against Vladimir Putin.
The Ukrainian President turned down an evacuation offer from the US, reportedly telling Washington: ‘I need ammunition, not a ride.’
Mr Johnson held phone calls with Mr Zelensky on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
When they spoke on Thursday, the Sunday Times reported that Mr Johnson had told his counterpart that ‘we are praying for you’.
Allies said that the premier ‘tends to leave God out of things’ but he was ‘very moved’.
Supporters of Mr Johnson believe the Ukraine crisis has prompted the emergence of ‘serious Boris’.
The PM addressed the nation on Thursday lunchtime, just hours after Mr Putin invaded Ukraine.
The message was pre-recorded and one witness said Mr Johnson changed his tie before he started.
They said the tie he was wearing was not ‘particularly garish’ but he opted for a more subdued navy blue.
The PM is well known for ruffling his hair before and during broadcast interviews, but he reportedly let an aide ‘run a brush through it’ before recording the address.
Allies believe the Russian invasion of Ukraine has provided Mr Johnson with a chance to stabilise his premiership.
The PM has been leading calls for other Western nations to follow the example of the UK and the US in offering more support to Ukraine.
He has also been pushing other countries to agree to the toughest possible sanctions against Russia.
Mr Johnson is said to be of the view that Mr Putin has underestimated Ukraine, with Russian forces facing fierce resistance as they move into the country.
One of the PM’s aides told the Sunday Times: ‘Boris keeps saying: ‘Not this weekend but in the end this will be shown to be Putin miscalculating’.’
The PM also apparently believes Mr Putin is at risk of repeating Russia’s past mistakes.
He reportedly told European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: ‘Though the Soviet Union was never beaten militarily it collapsed because it was economically crippled.
‘We’ve got to hit him hard. If Putin is trying to rebuild the USSR he’s not learnt that lesson.’
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