Vladimir Putin’s chief spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, raised concerns that relations could deteriorate in comments to reporters shortly before Truss was announced as the winner of the Tory leadership race. “I would not like to say that things can change for the worse, because it is difficult to imagine anything worse,” Peskov said when asked if Moscow expected any change in relations with Britain. “But, unfortunately, this cannot be ruled out.” The Kremlin has openly mocked and belittled Truss since she went to Moscow in February for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. At the meeting, a fortnight before the Russian invasion, Truss questioned Lavrov over the massing of 100,000 troops on Ukraine’s border, which Moscow denied was in preparation for an attack. Lavrov complained that her interventions were “just slogans shouted from the stands”. Russian government officials scoffed when a Russian newspaper reported that Truss had confused Russian territories with Ukrainian territory and needed to be corrected by the British ambassador. The British government said it simply misheard a question from Lavrov. Reacting to Truss’ victory in typically bombastic style, a presenter on Russian state television said: “Stupidity has triumphed: Liz Truss has become the new prime minister… If Boris Johnson has achieved Brexit, he wants to achieve something completely different – the end of the world .” Ukrainian politicians, however, offered an exuberant welcome. The country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said UK-Ukraine relations were already “at an unprecedented high level”, adding: “We in Ukraine know her well – she has always been on the bright side of European politics. And I believe that together we will be able to do much more to protect our nations and prevent all of Russia’s destructive efforts. The main thing is to preserve our unity and that will definitely happen.” “In Liz, we Truss” tweeted Ukrainian MP Rustem Umerov. “Mrs. Truss is a staunch supporter of Ukraine. Hope for a fruitful continued partnership between the UK and Ukraine.” Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko congratulated Truss, writing on Facebook: “I am glad that the alliance between our nations will remain strong and powerful, which is critical for our joint victory over the Russian aggressor and Putin’s regime.” Ukrainian media reported that Truss’ first call would be to the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky. Some bloggers are said to have dubbed Truss “the iron lady”, an epithet that will please the new prime minister, who has invoked Margaret Thatcher. The UK has been one of the biggest donors to Ukraine, a record that has brought praise and popularity to Boris Johnson and respite from his domestic troubles. At least one street has been renamed by the outgoing British prime minister after the UK announced a £100 million arms package for Ukraine. On Monday, Zelensky tweeted that he had spoken to Johnson during the prime minister’s last full day. Zelensky said he thanked him for “his personal bravery, principles and significant contribution” to countering Russian aggression, and added: “I look forward to working with a great friend of Ukraine in a new regime.” Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Had a brief chat with @BorisJohnson in his current capacity. On behalf of all the people of 🇺🇦, I thanked him for his personal bravery, principles and significant contribution to countering RF aggression. Looking forward to working with a great friend of 🇺🇦 on a new status. — Volodymyr Zelensky (@ZelenskyyUa) September 5, 2022 Sergei Mironov, a hawkish leader in the Russian parliament, said that for Moscow “it doesn’t matter who is in charge” in the UK. “Whoever is in charge will carry out previous orders to try to contain Russia and turn us into a Western colony. Scholz, Macron and other politicians are already doing this,” he wrote on his Telegram channel. Dmitry Novikov, a senior Russian lawmaker, also said the relationship between Moscow and London would not improve under Truss. “Boris Johnson was already not a pleasant figure to build relations with… There is also no evidence to suggest that Liz Truss will in any way improve Russian-British relations.” Senior Russian Duma deputy Dmitry Belyk said “Russophobic sentiments will only intensify” under Truss’ leadership. “We remember the Russophobic sentiments enthusiastically aired by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Russophobic sentiments will only intensify under Truss,” Belik was quoted as saying by Russia’s state-run Tass news agency. Belik added that, under Truss, the UK would continue to “pump Ukraine with more weapons”.
