Boris writes a letter to Ukrainian children saying they are not alone

Boris Johnson has written a touching letter to the children of Ukraine saying they have “millions” of friends around the world who they should be “immensely proud of”.

The Prime Minister commended them for keeping their heads up during the “toughest of times” and reassured them they were not alone, adding: “I can’t imagine how difficult this year must have been for you.”

He said he was “very sad” to see youngsters absent from the streets and parks of Kyiv during his visit to the Ukrainian capital last month.

Mr Johnson decided to “double down” efforts to get essential food and humanitarian aid to Ukrainians and ensure the country is able to export to the rest of the world.

The prime minister told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a call yesterday that the British public is “1,000%” behind its people, No10 said.

In his letter to Ukrainian children, Mr Johnson wrote: “Since the invasion, many of you have been forced to flee your homes.

“You have left family, friends, pets, toys, and everything familiar, and seek refuge in subway stations, distant cities, even other countries.

“I can’t imagine how difficult this year must have been for you.”

Mr Johnson said children should be proud of their country, their parents, their families, their soldiers and most importantly of themselves.

“Many of you have seen or experienced things that no child should experience,” he wrote.

“Yet all Ukrainian children teach us every day what it means to be strong and dignified, to keep our heads up even in the hardest of times. I can’t think of a better role model for children and adults everywhere.”

The Prime Minister said although children may be separated from their friends at home, they have “millions of others around the world”, including in the UK.

“We fly Ukrainian flags from our homes, offices, churches, shops and playgrounds, even from my own roof in Downing Street, where the windows are filled with sunflowers painted by British children,” he wrote.

“Our young people paint their flags in their classrooms and make blue and yellow bracelets in support of their country.”

He added: “I, like your President, believe that Ukraine will win this war. I hope with all my heart that one day soon you will be free to return to your homes, your schools, your families.

“And whatever happens, no matter how long it takes, we in the UK will never forget you and will always be proud to call you our friends.”

In his conversation with Mr Zelensky, Mr Johnson is said to have acknowledged the “incredible courage shown by the President and his family over the past few months”.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “The Prime Minister reiterated that the British people are 1000% behind the Ukrainian people.

“Leaders discussed (Vladimir) Putin’s despicable blockade of Odessa, Ukraine’s largest shipping port. The Prime Minister decided to redouble efforts to get essential food and humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine and ensure the country is able to export to the rest of the world.

“Leaders agreed that the international community must remain united in its condemnation of Putin’s barbarism. The Prime Minister said that every country has the duty to help Ukraine in its struggle for freedom, both now and in the long term.”

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