David Cameron touches down in Ukraine: Ex-Prime Minister shakes palms with Volodymyr Zelensky as he makes first abroad journey as International Secretary to Kyiv

David Cameron’s first journey as International Secretary has been to go to Volodymyr Zelensky, it was revealed right now, the place the ex-Tory chief paid tribute to Boris Johnson and his assist for Ukraine.

The previous Prime Minister has popped up in Kyiv this morning in a video shared by the Ukrainian President on social media.

Mr Cameron’s alternative for his working go to overseas simply days after his shock appointment by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak amid the fallout of Suella Braverman’s sacking.

He mentioned: ‘I wished this to be my first journey. I had some disagreements with my good friend Boris Johnson, however I’ve recognized him for 40 years and his assist for you was the best factor he and his Authorities ever did’.

Mr Zelensky made the announcement in a publish on the Telegram messaging app, the place he posted a brief video of the 2 assembly. It was additionally shared on Twitter.

‘Weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defence, defending our individuals and demanding infrastructure. I’m grateful to the UK for its assist,’ Zelensky mentioned in a press release on social media, accompanied by pictures of him and Cameron shaking palms. 

The go to was not pre-announced. Mr Cameron can also be anticipated to go to Israel as quickly as doable given the turmoil within the Center East. 

The conflict in Gaza additionally got here up in talks. Zelensky mentioned he was grateful for the gesture, which comes amid a battle within the Center East.

‘The world will not be so targeted on the battlefield scenario in Ukraine, and this dividing of the main target actually doesn’t assist,’

Mr Cameron is beneath strain to disclose his hyperlinks to ‘Chinese language pursuits’ after it emerged that Beijing has welcomed his shock return to Cupboard. 

The brand new International Secretary’s work for an funding fund ‘engineered by the Chinese language state’ was raised by Sir Keir Starmer within the Commons whereas different MPs highlighted his controversial lobbying actions since leaving No10.

His overseas coverage file additionally got here beneath scrutiny in the course of the first Prime Minister’s Questions because the reshuffle, together with his internet hosting of a G8 summit a decade in the past known as his largest achievement by Rishi Sunak.

It got here after Lord Cameron’s ‘distinctive understanding of China’ was praised by a newspaper run by the Chinese language Communist Celebration.

An article in International Instances described the ‘golden period’ of relations between the 2 international locations in the course of the Cameron premiership together with the well-known pint he loved with president Xi Jinping in a pub close to Chequers.

Nevertheless, Lord Cameron’s actions since quitting No10 the morning after the EU referendum had been mocked by Labour chief Sir Keir at PMQs yesterday.

‘A couple of months in the past, the Intelligence and Safety Committee mentioned the now International Secretary’s function in a Chinese language funding fund could have been – these are its phrases – ‘engineered by the Chinese language state’. When will he instruct the International Secretary to offer full public disclosure of his work for Chinese language pursuits?’

Mr Sunak replied that he was ‘delighted’ at Lord Cameron’s return, praised his ‘unrivalled expertise’ and insisted he’ll ‘undergo the conventional course of with the unbiased adviser’ on ministerial pursuits.