Ukraine throws support behind Boris Johnson in next PM race by sharing bizarre meme on its official gov Twitter page

UKRAINE has thrown its support behind Boris Johnson in the next race for PM by sharing a bizarre meme on its official government Twitter page.

Kyiv posted the thinly-veiled message hours after Liz Truss resigned as Tory Party leader and PM.

She quit after 44 days of economic turmoil and Tory infighting — with a showdown now expected between ex-Chancellor Rishi Sunak and his former boss.

Mr Johnson was installed as one of three favourites — with Mr Sunak and Penny Mordaunt — and took an early lead with at least 44 Tory MPs getting behind him.

Showing their support for their old pal, Ukraine posted a curious meme mimicking the hit Netflix show Better Call Saul.

In the tweet, Saul, the show's central character, is seen holding a cut-out of the former Tory leader with "Better Call Boris" emblazoned next to it.

Mr Johnson was decorated with Ukraine's Order of Liberty, the highest accolade bestowed upon a foreign national, during his final trip abroad as PM in August.

The ex-PM previously announced a further £54million of defensive kit to help Ukrainian heroes battle back Putin's evil invaders - and pledged Britain's "unwavering" support despite leaving Downing Street a few week later.

It included 2,000 cutting edge drones and loitering munitions to flush out Russian troops from their towns and cities.

Tory chiefs, including 1922 Committee chair Sir Graham Brady, yesterday said candidates need to be nominated by 100 MPs — a threshold which Boris supporters fear he might struggle to meet.

A Boris-supporting Cabinet Minister told The Sun: “Sir Graham has engineered this in a way that would make [ex-Zimbabwe tyrant] Robert Mugabe blush.”

And Tory MP Marco Longhi said: “I am backing Boris and as a democrat it’s important that members have their say.

“He is the only person that commands that authority given to him by the public at a General Election. Please come back, Boss.”

Allies of Boris said he could form a potent partnership with Mr Sunak — with Boris as the successful campaigner and his ex-neighbour as his deputy, stabilising the economy.

The pair would have to make peace after months of feuding, which also saw Boris back Ms Truss for the leadership.

But friends of Mr Sunak say that, while he wants to bury the hatchet, he aims to become PM so he can get on with the task of rebuilding the battered economy.

BoJo is expected to cut short a Caribbean holiday to win backers, less than seven weeks after he walked out of Downing Street.

Allies including his “Mr Fixit”, MP Nigel Adams were last night making frantic calls to build his support base, believing he is the only candidate who can avoid a wipeout at the next election.

Mr Johnson faces an uphill battle for the top job against Mr Sunak plus Commons Leader Ms Mordaunt and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.

Former candidates Kemi Badenoch and Suella Braverman are considering whether to run again.