Boris Johnson is planning a trip to Ukraine The Guardian reports.. However, the former prime minister's intention to visit President Volodymyr Zelensky has raised concerns among senior conservatives that the trip could undermine the authority of incumbent Prime Minister Rishi Sunak..

Johnson announced to friends that he intends to travel to Kyiv in the coming months to show his public support for Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggressor..

Ukrainian sources also said that Johnson intends to come to Kyiv, but there is no specific information on the date of the trip yet..

During his tenure, Johnson repeatedly declared himself a supporter of Zelensky, prompting international allies to provide more support in the early days of an all-out war.. The UK has provided significant economic, humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine, and has pledged at least ?2.3bn of aid in 2023..

Downing Street said they were unaware of the planned trip, although government insiders say they are comfortable with Sunak's predecessor representing the UK in this way.. Johnson's spokesman declined to comment..

Johnson, as a former prime minister, will be protected during the trip by security guards paid by the British out of their taxes.. Ukrainians are expected to provide security during the visit: just as they do during the visits of all foreign high-ranking guests.

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However, Johnson's plan to improve his reputation on the world stage was not very well received in Westminster: Sunak's allies accused the predecessor prime minister of undermining the authority of the prime minister..

Tobias Ellwood, head of the House of Commons Defense Select Committee and a former army officer, urged Johnson to "

“Any dignitary guest will of course be welcome in Kyiv, especially the former prime minister who has been a pioneer of UK military aid to Ukraine from the very beginning.. But Russia's ability to endure hardship is greater than the West's.. Putin is retooling his industry to help the war effort and mobilizes additional thousands for a big spring offensive. This conflict is far from over. Boris should leave no doubt that he fully supports the current government, and his visit should not interfere with the exchange of messages or official lines of communication between London and Kyiv,” Ellwood emphasized..

One of Sunak's cabinet ministers suggested that Johnson was trying to get a "

“This is about how Boris sees his role on the world stage, as well as supporting Ukraine. The situation there remains very fragile, so he needs to be careful not to compromise Rishi’s relationship with Zelensky,” the minister said..

Another Tory MP suggested that Johnson's trip to Kyiv would make him more popular in international circles, to which he often speaks.. In his first four months in office, he earned over ?1 million by delivering four speeches..

Johnson's intentions at Thor were called a "

The trip will be the former prime minister's fourth trip to Kyiv, having visited Ukraine for the first time in April, shortly after Russian forces foiled an attempt to seize the capital.. On a second sudden visit, he came to Ukraine in June, and then in August, on the country's Independence Day.

Sunak also made a surprise visit to Kyiv in November, where he promised that Britain's support for Ukraine in the fight against Russia would remain unwavering..

Liz Truss initially intended to come to Ukraine, but in the end her premiership was too short to arrange a visit, especially amid national mourning over the death of the Queen.

Writing for the WSJ in December, Johnson said Russia's war against Ukraine must end in 2023 or the West will pay even more for it..