Eurovision commentator says ‘Boris Johnsonuk’ is Ukraine’s ‘best friend’

Ukraine Eurovision commentator Timur Miroshynchenko has praised the UK for their support during the war with Russia, and described Boris Johnson as the country’s ‘best friend’.

The Ukrainian broadcaster went viral last week as he commentated on the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest from an underground bomb shelter in Kyiv.

Timur, 36, has spoken about how Ukraine ‘felt alone at the start of this war’ but thanks in part to the support from Europe now feel ‘the power to continue our resistance.’

Speaking to Metro.co.uk, the father-of-two, whose children were forced to flee to Germany amid the conflict, said his country was grateful for the support of other nations during the Russian invasion, paying particular tribute to the UK Prime Minister.

He said: ‘For these three months, 79 days here of war, now we know who are real brothers of us, and it’s definitely not Russia.

‘Polish people, British people, and of course, Boris Johnson. Our best friend!’

He joked that Ukrainians have a nickname for Boris, which combines the UK and a common Ukraine surname.

‘You know in Ukraine, we call him Boris Johnsonuk,’ Timur – speaking from a bomb shelter – said.

‘Because of UK in the end. And in Ukraine, many second names finish with these two letters. We call him Boris Johnsonuk in Ukrainian manner.’

The PM has been praised in the past by Ukraine, including by President Volodymyr Zelensky, for his leadership during the crisis, including his secret trip to Kyiv for talks, where he pledged more weapons to help the country resist Russia’s invasion.

‘Just because we are at the frontline of this war, it is not only a war of Russia against Ukraine, this is a war of different civilisations with different values, different worlds,’ Timur said.

He added that people in certain countries might feel ‘so far away’ from the war, but warned ‘it’s the centre of Europe in the 21st century. You can’t be somewhere very far from this situation.

‘You have to understand the war is very close to you, wherever you are right now.’

Timur previously said that winning Eurovision would be a ‘very symbolic victory’ for the war-torn country as they feel support from other nations.

Now, responding to the ban on Russia competing in the 2022 competition, he said he ‘definitely’ agrees with the ban, and asked: ‘How could we be in one place with people who support Putin’s propaganda, Putin’s regime?’

They’re crazy,’ an incredulous Timur said. ‘How could we be in one place with these people?’

There are reports that Russian hackers are planning to disable online votes for Ukraine during Saturday’s competition, as the rest of Europe prepares to rally behind the country.

Timur is not surprised. ‘They try and attack every government server, every time, all the time.

‘During the first semi-final they hacked our websites and Suspilne, the public broadcaster. People had no opportunity to watch online on our digital platforms.

‘There were no problems during the second semi-final,’ he said, adding: ‘Maybe because Ukraine was only in the first semi-final. So we never know [what will happen].’

On Saturday, Ukraine’s hopefuls the Kalush Orchestra will take to the stage alongside UK entry Sam Ryder, Finnish rockers The Rasmus and plenty more fierce competition in the hopes to be crowned the winners of the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest.

Timur previously said that, while they don’t know what the result will be, he would love for Ukraine to win and the UK to come second.

And while his country may be unable to host Eurovision next year for security reasons, he has a solution.

‘I think the UK is going to be in second place. Then Ukraine… will skip hosting Eurovision next year, and the UK is going to host it!’

The Eurovision grand final airs on Saturday from 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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