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Transcript/Script ((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Britain Johnson Ukraine
HEADLINE: Boris Johnson Resigns: Is British Military Aid for Ukraine at Risk?
TEASER: Under the former prime minister, Britain's military aid to Ukraine was second only to that of the United States
PUBLISHED AT: (7/7/22 & TIME)
BYLINE: Henry Ridgwell
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: London
VIDEOGRAPHER: Henry Ridgwell
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Jepsen, DJ (ok), Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, AFP, APTN, Reuters, Teams
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB _X_ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:53
VID APPROVED BY: wpm
TYPE: VPKGF
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO: )) [[Britain is among the biggest donors of military aid to Ukraine. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was among the first Western leaders to visit Kyiv following the Russian invasion. So, does his resignation put that support at risk? Henry Ridgwell reports from London.]]
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF JOHNSON IN KYIV))
((NARRATOR))
In early April, Boris Johnson marched through the streets of Kyiv alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy just days after Russian troops had withdrawn from the outskirts of the city. The two men forged a close bond.
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF JOHNSON RESIGNING))
Johnson made this pledge in his resignation speech Thursday.
((Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister))
“Let me say now to the people of Ukraine that I know that we in the U.K. will continue to back your fight for freedom for as long as it takes.”
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF ZELENSKYY))
((NARRATOR))
Zelenskyy offered this tribute in return.
((Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President (in Ukrainian) ))
“Although it is a reflection of the position of British society, the leadership and charisma of the state's leaders are always of particular importance. Especially during these times — the time of Russia's full-scale anti-European war, which launched an attack on all Europe via our country. So, it is not surprising that Ukrainians feel personal gratitude to Boris.”
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF KYIV))
((NARRATOR))
Many Ukrainians expressed sadness at Johnson’s resignation.
((Dmytro Usikov, Kyiv Resident (male, in Ukrainian))
"Britain will offer further support. But it will not be in the same way as with Boris Johnson. We can say he is a friend of our country.”
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF BRITISH MILITARY AID, UKRAINE TROOPS TRAINING))
((NARRATOR))
Britain is second only to the United States in the amount of military aid it has given Ukraine, including anti-tank rockets, artillery and, most recently, advanced multiple launch rocket systems, or MLRSes. Hundreds of Ukrainian troops are receiving training in Britain.
In total, Johnson pledged 2.8 billion dollars of military support – alongside 1.8 billion dollars in humanitarian and economic aid.
Will his resignation spell a change in Britain’s level of support for Ukraine? Unlikely, says analyst John Kampfner.
((John Kampfner, Chatham House))
“Not only because it has been, by the standards of this conflict, as successful as any country’s approach has been, but also domestically it’s popular, too.”
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF HOUSE OF COMMONS))
((NARRATOR))
Britain’s Defense Secretary Ben Wallace emphasized the cross-party backing for the military support given to Ukraine.
((Ben Wallace, British Defense Secretary))
“Britain is full square behind them. You know, the assistance to Ukraine we give is not just one person, not me, not the prime minister, it's the whole effort.”
((VIDEO: VOA FOOTAGE OF MOSCOW))
((NARRATOR))
Moscow welcomed Johnson’s resignation. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the moral of the story was “do not seek to destroy Russia.”
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF BRITISH AIRCRAFT CARRIER IN PACIFIC))
Johnson also sought to reposition Britain in other security arenas, emphasizing the importance of the so-called AUKUS security pact with Australia and the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific. But its role is limited, argues Kampfner.
((John Kampfner, Chatham House))
“This shift more towards Asia and specifically the power and the threat posed by China, which was set out in the government’s ‘Integrated Review’ of just over a year ago, is an important thing. But Britain can only be a player alongside the other AUKUS countries – the United States in particular, Australia, and Japan; but also the European Union is increasingly an important player, as are countries like South Korea.”
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF JOHNSON AND ZELESNKYY))
After his resignation, Johnson called a number of world leaders. Among the first was a call to Zelenskyy, reiterating Britain’s support. He ended the conversation by telling the Ukrainian president: “You’re a hero, everybody loves you.”
((Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News, London.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateJuly 8, 2022 04:54 EDT
BylineHenry Ridgwell
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
