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Zelensky ready to ‘strengthen strategic partnership’ with UK as Sunak becomes PM

The Ukrainian President tweeted his congratulations to Mr Sunak on Tuesday.

Josh Payne
Tuesday 25 October 2022 08:16 EDT
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Handout/PA)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Handout/PA) (PA Media)

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The President of Ukraine has said he us “ready to continue strengthening the strategic partnership” with the UK as Rishi Sunak said the “terrible war… must be seen successfully to its conclusion”.

Speaking outside Number 10 on Tuesday, the incoming Prime Minister referenced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine twice, saying: “Putin’s war in Ukraine has destabilised energy markets and supply chains the world over.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he hoped Mr Sunak would “overcome all the challenges facing British society and the whole world today”.

In a tweet after Mr Sunak’s first speech as Prime Minister, Mr Zelensky said: “Congratulations to Rishi Sunak on taking office as Prime Minister!

“I wish you to successfully overcome all the challenges facing British society and the whole world today.

“I’m ready to continue strengthening the – strategic partnership together!”

In his congratulatory message to Mr Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron said the two countries would work together to tackle the challenge of the war in Ukraine.

Outgoing PM Liz Truss was widely criticised after she declined to say whether Mr Macron was a “friend or foe” when asked during the previous Tory leadership contest.

Mr Macron later suggested it was a “problem” if Britain could not call itself a friend of France.

Ms Truss eventually hailed the French President as a friend when the pair met at the first summit of the European Political Community in Prague.

In his message to Mr Sunak, Mr Macron tweeted: “Congratulations to Rishi Sunak, who has become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

“Together we will continue working to tackle the challenges of the moment, including the war in Ukraine and its many consequences for Europe and the world.”

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