It was Volodymyr Zelensky who had the honors of Rishi Sunak’s first appeal to a foreign leader. The new British Prime Minister assured the Ukrainian President of his “unwavering support” and hoped “that they will meet in person soon”according to a statement from Downing Street.
Earlier, Mr. Zelensky had congratulated the new British leader. “I wish you success in overcoming all the challenges facing British society and the whole world today. I am ready to continue that together we strengthen the Ukrainian-British strategic partnership”said the head of the Ukrainian state on Twitter.
Ukraine was at the heart of US President Joe Biden’s first words to the new UK Prime Minister. “I look forward to strengthening our cooperation on issues critical to global security and prosperity, including by continuing to stand firmly with Ukraine.”he wrote on Twitter. During their first telephone conversation, later in the day, the two leaders also agreed “to hold Russia accountable for its aggression, confront the challenges posed by China, and ensure sustainable and affordable energy resources”insisted the White House in a press release.
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Congratulations from Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz
Addressing his ” congratulations “ to Mr. Sunak, Emmanuel Macron wrote on Twitter: “Together, we will continue to work to face the challenges of the moment, including the war in Ukraine and its multiple consequences for Europe and for the world. »
As for the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, he said he was happy “with the prospect of continuing [leur] cooperation and [leur] partnership within NATO [Organisation du traité de l’Atlantique Nord] and the G7 as close friends”.
In Moscow, on the other hand, where British support for Ukraine in the form of diplomatic support, arms deliveries and combat training of Ukrainian soldiers is clearly frowned upon, the tone has been icy to say the least. “Right now, we see no beginnings, no foundation, and we have no hope for any positive changes in the near future.”, reacted the spokesman of the Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov, in front of the press. He assured that Russia remained “open and ready to talk about difficult issues at the negotiating table”but not “to the detriment of his interests”.
The European Commission attentive to respect for Brexit
The European Commission has urged Mr Sunak to “fully” respect the agreements concluded with the European Union after Brexit. “In these difficult times for our continent, we rely on a strong relationship with the United Kingdom to defend our common values, in full respect of our agreements”, wrote on Twitter the president of the Brussels executive, Ursula von der Leyen.
“I remain determined to work intensively and constructively to foster such a partnership, in full respect of our agreements. This includes our work on common solutions under the Protocol for Ireland and Northern Ireland”declared the European commissioner in charge of post-Brexit relations with the United Kingdom, Maros Sefcovic.
A subject discussed during their interview by Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak. The two leaders have “discussed their shared commitment to protect the gains of the Good Friday Agreement” in Northern Ireland, the White House reported, and from “need to reach a negotiated agreement with the European Union on the Northern Ireland protocol”which specifies the post-Brexit provisions in this British province.
Boris Johnson’s support
Former Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson returned to the key text of the Brexit agreement, the Northern Ireland protocol, signed and ratified by both parties, and unilaterally questioned the post-Brexit customs status of Northern Ireland.
Mr Johnson was also one of the first figures to publicly congratulate his former Chancellor of the Exchequer, despite their notoriously strained relationship: “Congratulations to Rishi Sunak on this historic day, tweeted the former leader. Now is the time for every Conservative to give our new Prime Minister their full and complete support. »
