Russia cheers Boris Johnson’s death as world reacts to UK political drama

LONDON – World leaders have responded to the resignation of Boris Johnson, with the Kremlin in particular expressing its delight at the departure of the United Kingdom’s prime minister.

Johnson announced, Thursday, that it was time for his party to choose a new leader and therefore prime minister after more than 50 people resigned from his government in protest at his leadership.

As events unfolded in the UK on Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “He doesn’t like us, and we don’t like him either,” according to a Reuters translation.

The Kremlin and the Foreign Ministry could not be reached for comment when contacted by CNBC.

Speaking on Friday morning, Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, said Johnson “has kept saying Russia should be isolated, while his party Boris Johnson isolated himself instead”.

“I don’t even want to comment on this, because Boris Johnson, with all his activism as prime minister, and as foreign minister, has proven to be a man who is basically chasing after superficial influences, clinging to power in order to advance his political career in every possible way.”

The tense relationship between Boris Johnson and the Russian leader Russian President Vladimir Putin It may not come as a surprise to many. Johnson’s military support for Ukraine has often drawn criticism in Russia. Indeed, Moscow blocked Johnson from entering Russia as part of a broader package of war-related sanctions.

But Johnson’s departure will certainly not mean a change in policy toward Ukraine and Russia.

“Let me now say to the people of Ukraine that I know, we in the UK will continue to support your fight for freedom for as long as it takes,” Johnson said during his resignation letter on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Kyiv reacted, of course, the opposite.

President Volodymyr Zelensky Johnson spoke Thursday after his resignation letter. A Downing Street spokeswoman said Zelensky “thanked the prime minister for his decisive action on Ukraine and said the Ukrainian people are grateful for the UK’s efforts”.

The same spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister highlighted the UK’s unwavering cross-party support to the people of President Zelensky and said the UK will continue to provide vital defense assistance for as long as possible.”

Across the Atlantic, President of the United States Joe Biden He avoided referring to Johnson specifically, but said he was looking forward to working with the UK government.

“The United Kingdom and the United States are our closest friends and allies, and the special relationship between our two peoples remains strong and enduring,” Biden said in a statement.

In the European Union, officials now hope for better relations with the United Kingdom.

Johnson’s government was trying to change the details of the trade agreement it signed with the European Union after the UK left the bloc – a move that did not go well in Brussels. In fact, EU officials started legal action in June against the UK

Guy Verhofstadt, MEP, said Thursday on Twitter: “EU-UK relations have suffered badly with Johnson opting for Brexit. Things can only get better!”

former Britain’s exit from the European Union “The departure of Boris Johnson opens a new page in relations with the United Kingdom,” said negotiator Michel Barnier.

“I hope it will be more constructive, more respectful of the commitments made, particularly with regard to peace and stability in Northern Ireland, and friendlier with partners,” he added.

However, the future relationship between the UK and the EU will depend in large part on Johnson’s replacement.