Russia cheers Boris Johnson's demise because the world reacts to Britain's political drama

LONDON — Global leaders have reacted to Boris Johnson’s resignation, with the Kremlin particularly expressing pleasure on the U.Okay. prime minister’s exit.

Johnson introduced Thursday that it is time for his occasion to decide on a brand new chief and, subsequently, a main minister after greater than 50 individuals resigned from his authorities in protest of his management.

As occasions unfolded within the U.Okay. on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov stated, “He doesn’t like us, we don’t like him either,” in accordance with a Reuters translation.

The Kremlin and the Foreign Ministry weren’t instantly accessible for remark when contacted by CNBC.

Speaking Friday morning, Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s overseas minister, stated that Johnson “kept saying that Russia should be isolated, while his own party has isolated Boris Johnson himself instead.”

“I don’t even want to comment on this, because Boris Johnson, with all his activities as prime minister, and as foreign minister, proved that he is a man who primarily chases after superficial effects, holds on to power in order to raise his political career in every possible way.”

The acrimonious relationship between Johnson and Russian chief Vladimir Putin won’t come as a shock to many. Johnson’s navy assist to Ukraine has usually raised criticism in Russia. In truth, Moscow banned Johnson from coming into Russia as a part of a wider bundle of sanctions associated to the struggle in Ukraine.

But Johnson’s departure will nearly positively not imply a change in coverage towards Ukraine and Russia.

“Let me say now to the people of Ukraine that I know, we in the U.K. will continue to back your fight for freedom for as long as it takes,” Johnson stated throughout his resignation speech Thursday.

Meanwhile, the response from Kyiv was, naturally, the alternative.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Johnson spoke Thursday after the resignation speech. Zelenskyy “thanked the Prime Minister for his decisive action on Ukraine, and said the Ukrainian people were grateful for the UK’s efforts,” in accordance with a Downing Street spokeswoman.

“The Prime Minister highlighted the UK’s unwavering cross-party support for President Zelenskyy’s people, and said the UK would continue to supply vital defensive aid for as long as needed,” the identical spokesperson stated.

Across the Atlantic, U.S. President Joe Biden averted making references about Johnson particularly, however stated he’s wanting ahead to working with the U.Okay. authorities.

“The United Kingdom and the United States are the closest of friends and Allies, and the special relationship between our people remains strong and enduring,” Biden stated in an announcement, in accordance with Reuters.

In the European Union, officers at the moment are hoping for higher relations with the United Kingdom.

Johnson’s authorities had been making an attempt to vary the main points of a commerce settlement it had signed with the EU following the U.Okay.’s departure from the bloc — a transfer that didn’t go effectively in Brussels. EU officers, in truth, began authorized motion in June towards the U.Okay.

Guy Verhofstadt, a member of the European Parliament, stated Thursday on Twitter: “EU-UK relations suffered hugely with Johnson’s choice of Brexit. Things can only get better!”

Former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier additionally stated “the departure of Boris Johnson opens a new page in relations with the United Kingdom.”

“May it be more constructive, more respectful of commitments made, in particular regarding peace & stability in [Northern Ireland], and more friendly with partners,” he added.

However, the longer term relationship between the U.Okay. and the EU will very a lot depend upon Johnson’s successor.