British Prime Minister Boris Johnson compared Volodymyr Zelensky's leadership with Ukraine to the military endeavors of Winston Churchill, for which he awarded him a bust with the image of the legendary British leader.

Britain's prime minister said today he believed Churchill "would have cheered and probably cried" when the Ukrainian president insisted from Kyiv that he needed "ammunition, not driving" at the start of the Russian invasion of his country on February 24.

He added that he could imagine Sir Winston's spirit "walking with you" and "like with his staff" going through all the difficulties.

Johnson's comments were made during a ceremony in Downing Street where Zelensky, who spoke via video link, was presented with the Sir Winston Churchill Award for Leadership.

During the ceremony, members of Churchill's family and the International Society "Winston Churchill" were present.

Zelensky said through the video link that it is "a great honor to receive this leadership award" and added that "Ukraine was not left alone after February 24, we had those who helped us, who remembered us in the darkest times, which is an honor, and who didn't even think of giving up the fight - I'm talking about you, Boris".

"This award is also yours and this is a reflection of our joint leadership of the Ukrainians, the British and all those who do not want to surrender their freedom to tyrants."

Johnson told Zelensky that "at a moment of great crisis, he faced a test of leadership that was in its own way as difficult as Churchill's challenge in 1940."

- Your defiance, your dignity, your constant good sense of humor touched millions of people, and while standing against barbarism, you became a symbol of the heroism of the Ukrainian people. And inspired by your leadership, I know not only that Ukraine can win, but that Ukraine will win, and when that day comes, as it will, Ukraine will rise up and take its place as a sovereign and independent nation." Johnson added.

The bust of "Sir Winston" was presented to the Ukrainian ambassador to the United Kingdom, Vadym Prystaik.