British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his resignation on Thursday. Johnson’s prime ministership received branches from Russia and roses from Ukraine.
Britain’s outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson is known outside the British Isles for, among other things, the stormy Brexit policy and as one of the leading figures in Western countries in the support front for Ukraine in the face of the Russian attack. This is how his decision to resign has been commented so far.
Kremlin: We hope for more professional people to lead Britain
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on the news of Johnson’s resignation by saying that Russia wants “more professional people” to lead Britain.
– We hope that one day in Britain, people who are professional and make decisions through dialogue will rise to power. At the moment, there is little hope for this, Peskov told the media.
According to Peskov, Johnson’s resignation is not a significant matter for Russia.
– He didn’t like us, and we didn’t like him.
Russian Ambassador to Britain Andrei Kelin commenting that Johnson’s downfall is “a just reward for a belligerent anti-Russian policy”. According to Kelin, Johnson has neglected the needs of British citizens while supporting Ukraine.
Praise from Ukraine: Johnson came to Kiev despite the missiles
Zelenskyi said he believes Britain’s policy on Ukraine will not change even if Johnson backs down.
In addition, he said he was looking forward to speaking with Johnson to hear more about the issues surrounding his resignation.
Advisor to the President Myhailo Podoljak thanks the outgoing prime minister for always being “on the front line in support of Ukraine” and being among the first to visit Kiev “despite the missiles”.
A new start with a clean slate
Along with Russia, Johnson is criticized by the EU parties who have wrestled with him over the Brexit agreement. Former EU Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt comment According to the BBC (you will switch to another service)that Johnson’s reign will end in disgrace, “like his friends Donald Trump too“.
– The relations between the EU and Great Britain suffered enormously due to the Brexit chosen by Johnson, says Verhofstadt.
Under Johnson’s leadership, the EU and Britain were able to finalize the Brexit agreement at the last minute on Christmas Eve 2020. After this, however, Britain has defied the agreement, especially regarding the Northern Ireland customs border. It has been feared that it will endanger the peace achieved by the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland.
The EU’s former chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier says, according to the BBC, that Johnson’s departure means that relations with Britain can start from a clean slate. Barnier said that he hopes Britain will act more constructively and better respect the agreements related to the issues of northern Iran in particular.
The EU Commission declined to comment on Johnson’s resignation to Reuters. According to the Commission’s spokesperson, the EU’s position regarding the Northern Ireland agreement will not change.
Also the Prime Minister of Ireland Michael Martin expressed (you switch to another service) More diplomatically than Verhofstadt, Johnson’s resignation opens up the possibility of turning a new page. In his statement, Martin writes that he has not always agreed with Johnson, and that his relationship with Johnson’s governments has recently been strained and challenging.
– We now have the opportunity to return to the true spirit of partnership and mutual respect that is needed to support the achievements of the Good Friday Agreement.