Boris: We Must ‘Endure' Fuel Bill Pain To Defeat Putin

Cost-of-living crisis is Britain’s sacrifice as Ukrainians are ‘paying in their blood’

- Mark Reynolds

Putin will use energy supplies to torment us

High energy bills are the price freedom-loving nations must pay to ensure Ukraine’s continued independence, Boris Johnson said yesterday.

Showing unwavering support for the embattled people “paying in their blood,” the Prime Minister pledged a further £54million in military aid.

On an unannounced visit to Kyiv on the country’s Independence Day, celebrating 31 years since the collapse of the Soviet Union, he said: “If we’re paying in our energy bills for the evils of Vladimir Putin, the people of Ukraine are paying in their blood.

“We know the coming winter will be tough and Putin will manipulate Russian energy supplies to try to torment households across Europe.

“Our first test as friends of Ukraine will be to face down and endure that pressure.”

He added: “What happens in Ukraine matters to us all. That is why I am in Kyiv today.

“That is why the UK will continue to stand with our Ukrainian friends. I believe Ukraine can and will win this war.”

Mr Johnson said Vladimir Putin had been “insane” to invade Ukraine – and he praised the country’s resistance.

He said “like one of those indomitable Ukrainian boxers” the country “came off the ropes and hit him with an uppercut that sent Putin’s armies reeling from Kyiv and a hook to drive him from Kharkiv”.