Pavlo Klimkin, a diplomat and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine from 2014 to 2019, stated that the initial words of the new Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, regarding Ukraine are quite good. Moreover, he is very focused on restraining China.
Klimkin expressed this opinion during an interview on Espreso TV.
"I believe that Mike Johnson, who has become the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the United States, will show himself, and I think it will be in a positive sense for us. He is a very sincere person and truly believes in his version of conservative values. He is a devout person. I don't personally know him, but my friends and acquaintances in the Republican Party who know him all say that they respect him for his sincerity, consistency, and for his unwavering commitment to his vision. When he says, 'I don't agree with this, but in our free country, this is how it should be,' you have to agree that it deserves respect," noted the diplomat.
Rep. Mike Johnson outside a House Republican Conference election meeting on Oct. 24. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
According to Pavlo Klimkin, the initial words of Mike Johnson regarding Ukraine are quite good. Moreover, the new Speaker is very focused on restraining China. It is already being said that if Putin wins, it will strengthen China. In this sense, there are both ideological and absolutely tough, rational, and political arguments.
"In my opinion, we have a great opportunity to engage with him. He enjoys a lot of respect among his colleagues precisely for such conservative consistency and sincerity. It will be easier for him to promote many things because he has the support of both Trump and key Republican figures. Johnson is currently able to bring together different factions and camps among the Republicans, where there is currently a kind of wandering. So, in reality, I would give him the opportunity to express himself, including regarding us. And I am by no means negatively predisposed," concluded Pavlo Klimkin.
