England’s Johnson presents Churchill Award to Ukraine’s Zelensky

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson presented Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with the Sir Winston Churchill Leadership Award on Tuesday, drawing comparisons between the two leaders in times of crisis.

Zelensky received the award via video conference at a ceremony in Johnson’s London office attended by members of the Churchill family, Ukrainian ambassador Vadim Prystaiko and Ukrainians trained by British soldiers.

Johnson recalled Zelenskyy’s confirmation that Russia had invaded on February 24, adding: “At that moment of supreme crisis, you faced a test of leadership in its own way, similar to Churchill’s challenge in 1940.”

Zelenskyy thanked Johnson and Britain for their support.

The two have developed a close relationship since Johnson became the first Western leader to visit Ukraine since Russia’s invasion. Earlier this month, Zelensky said he was upset when Johnson stepped down as leader of the Conservative Party after months of ethics scandals.

The Ukrainian leader received a standing ovation in March when he evoked one of Churchill’s most famous speeches in the British Parliament and vowed to fight Russian troops in the air, at sea and in the streets.

The Churchill Leadership Award was first presented in 2006. Past winners include Prince Charles, former British Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major, and former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson presented Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with the Sir Winston Churchill Leadership Award on Tuesday, drawing comparisons between the two leaders in times of crisis.

Zelensky received the award via video conference at a ceremony in Johnson’s London office attended by members of the Churchill family, Ukrainian ambassador Vadim Prystaiko and Ukrainians trained by British soldiers.

Johnson recalled Zelenskyy’s confirmation that Russia had invaded on February 24, adding: “At that moment of supreme crisis, you faced a test of leadership in its own way, similar to Churchill’s challenge in 1940.”

Zelenskyy thanked Johnson and Britain for their support.

The two have developed a close relationship since Johnson became the first Western leader to visit Ukraine since Russia’s invasion. Earlier this month, Zelensky said he was upset when Johnson stepped down as leader of the Conservative Party after months of ethics scandals.

The Ukrainian leader received a standing ovation in March when he evoked one of Churchill’s most famous speeches in the British Parliament and vowed to fight Russian troops in the air, at sea and in the streets.

The Churchill Leadership Award was first presented in 2006. Past winners include Prince Charles, former British Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major, and former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.