Ukrainians hope embattled UK PM ‘Johnsoniuk’ can cling on

As Boris Johnson’s tenure as British Prime Minister hangs by a thread, Ukrainians are hoping the person who some have affectionately taken to calling “Borys Johnsoniuk” can cling on.

Johnson is going through a rising insurrection inside his personal Conservative Party after a slew of ministerial resignations, however Ukrainians fete him as one in every of their most vocal supporters for overseeing very important provides of arms and anti-tank weapons to fend off Russia’s invasion.

In Kyiv, he has been depicted in avenue artwork and is the topic of a portrait exhibition, whereas a creamy cake with an ice cream topping that resembles his unruly blond hair bears his title – as do a number of Ukrainian streets.

“It’s a shame because we need as much support for (Ukraine) as possible,” mentioned 22-year-old actress Kateryna Chikina, one in every of a number of Kyiv residents who advised Reuters they didn’t need him to go.

“If there are influential politicians abroad, we need them. We don’t want to lose him because he really helps us. He is a cutie.”

Artist Tetiana Kropyva, 24, busied herself on Wednesday portray a likeness of Johnson onto a barrel serving as an outside desk at a bar within the capital’s hipster hub of Podil.

“As a painter, I can say that he has very distinctive facial features. He is interesting to paint because he has many quirks,” she advised Reuters.

At Kyiv’s History Museum, two portraits of Johnson behind glass frontage assist carry within the punters, mentioned museum worker Mykola Petrychenko.

“It’s a marketing magnet of sorts because Boris Johnson is extremely popular among Ukrainian people… Passers-by, when they see his portrait in the window, they recognise him and they come inside and ask about the exhibition.”

Inside, extra portraits of Johnson – in addition to one in every of Queen Elizabeth and one other of U.S. President Joe Biden – cling side-by-side with Ukrainian troopers and well-known commanders in a collection depicting Ukrainian heroes.

Dmytro Usikov, 27, mentioned Johnson would have free drinks in his bar even when he was pressured from energy.

“We will serve him everything for free… because he really helped our country, and is still helping us. The soul of Ukraine, one could say.”