Boris Johnson: We’re paying higher bills – Ukraine is paying in blood

Boris Johnson has urged the British public to endure higher energy bills as the price of freedom in Europe because “Ukrainians are paying in blood”.

Speaking on a surprise visit to Kyiv to mark six months since the start of the Russian invasion, the outgoing Prime Minister called on the UK’s allies not to waver in their support for Ukraine.

It comes amid fears that spiralling energy prices and the wider cost of living crisis could weaken the resolve of European governments.

While Emmanuel Macron, the French president, on Wednesday said the country faced “sacrifices” but urged people to “accept paying the price of liberty”, Matteo Salvini, the leader of Italy’s far-Right League party, called for the EU to re-examine its sanctions on Russia.

Mr Salvini, set to be part of a coalition government after Italy holds elections next month, said the measures could be hurting member states more than Russia.

In the UK, the new energy price cap, which comes into force in October, will be announced by Ofgem, the industry regulator, on Friday.

A rise from the current £1,971 to around £3,600 per year is expected. It could then top £5,000 in January and rise above £6,000 in April, according to forecasts.

Speaking in Kyiv on Wednesday, Mr Johnson said: “We know that if we’re paying in our energy bills for the evils of Vladimir Putin, the people of Ukraine are paying in their blood.

“That’s why we know we must stay the course. Because if Putin were to succeed, then no country on Russia’s perimeter would be safe, and … [that] would be a green light for every autocrat in the world that borders could be changed by force.

“To all our friends, I simply say this – we must keep going. We must show, as friends of Ukraine, that we have the same strategic endurance as the people of Ukraine.”