UNITED KINGDOM. INDIA: After months of scandals, defections, and political deliberation, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his premature departure from his ministerial post on Thursday. Johnson ensured a smooth transfer of power to his successor by abdicating his responsibilities as Tory party leader and Prime Minister, eliciting solid and diverse reactions from global leaders.
The US president stated that the US government would maintain ties and “close cooperation” with Britain, including joint support for Ukraine against the Russian invasion. As world superpowers, “the United Kingdom and the United States are the closest of friends and allies, and our people’s special relationship remains strong and true,” Biden said.
“I look forward to continuing our close cooperation with the government of the United Kingdom, maintaining a strong and united approach to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Putin’s brutal war on their democracy, and holding Russia accountable for its actions,” Biden said of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
After years of tense relations with the UK over the issue of Brexit, the EU finally saw hopes of renewing ties with the UK over the resignation of Brexit champion Johnson though doubts remain. Michael Barnier, a former top negotiator for Brexit, said, “The departure for Boris Johnson opens. A new page in relations with Britain. May it be more constructive, respectful of commitments made, particularly regarding peace and stability in Northern Ireland, and more friendly with partners in the EU.”
Similarly, the Irish Prime Minister suggested that Johnson’s resignation would be beneficial, calling it “an opportunity to return to the true spirit of partnership and mutual respect that is required to underpin the gains of the Good Friday Agreement.” The 1998 peace resolutions that ended decades of British bloodshed in Northern Ireland were put under strain during the Brexit process.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his “sadness” in a telephonic conversation with Johnson, Kyiv reported. Zelensky also expressed gratitude for the British PM’s relentless and unwavering support for the war-torn Ukrainian people. The Kremlin’s reaction was a subtle jab at Johnson’s ineptitude. It hoped that “more professional people” would come to power in Britain who would conduct strategic decision-making through diplomatic dialogue, spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
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