Boris Johnson warns Britons must 'endure a tough winter' to keep supporting Ukraine

'If we pay our energy bills for Vladimir Putin's ills, the people of Ukraine pay in their blood,' PM says on visit surprise in Kyiv

Boris Johnson during his last visit to Ukraine as Prime Minister (

Image: Getty Images)

Britons must 'endure' a 'difficult winter' in the cost of living crisis to continue supporting war-torn Ukraine, Boris Johnson said today.

The Prime Minister has suggested that high energy bills are worth paying to prevent Russia from wiping out the sovereignty of a European nation in 2022.

"If we pay our energy bills for Vladimir Putin's ills, the Ukrainian people pay in their blood," he said.

The ousted Mr Johnson made a surprise last visit to Kyiv today in a bid to build his legacy, and received the Ukrainian Order of Freedom from President Volodymyr Zelensky.

He urged Western allies and the British people to stay the course against Russian aggression - despite news on Friday that bills will soar in October.

The Prime Minister said in a joint press conference with Mr. Zelensky: "We know that the coming winter will be difficult.

"And Putin will manipulate Russian energy supplies to try to torment households across Europe.