Ukraine slammed for ‘Better Call Saul’ Boris Johnson Meme after Truss leaves

Ukraine faces backlash after sharing meme that compares former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to TV show’s main character You better call Saul.

Liz Truss resigned as Prime Minister on Thursday after serving a tumultuous six weeks in office, making her the shortest prime minister in UK history. Johnson, who himself resigned just months ago amid multiple scandals, is seen as one of the top candidates to become the country’s next prime minister.

Although all the main candidates to replace Truss are likely to support Ukraine in its war against Russia, Johnson was seen as a particularly strong ally in the first six months of the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed Johnson as a “great friend” when he was replaced by Truss in early September.

Ukraine’s official Twitter account has apparently thrown its support behind a Johnson comeback in the form of a same Thursday. The characteristics of the meme You better call Saul star Bob Odenkirk moving a mask of Johnson to cover his face next to a graphic altered to read ‘Better Call Boris’.

Some reacted to the meme with angry reactions accusing Ukraine of trying to interfere in British politics.

“Have you considered not commenting on political processes in other countries – in order not to alienate your broad base of support, and because you just don’t understand what’s going on there?” tweeted Steve Peers, law professor at the University of Essex.

‘Absolutely shameful,’ said Irish journalist Andrew Quinn tweeted. “A real slap in the face for all the people in the UK who have supported Ukraine and welcomed Ukrainian refugees into their homes. Such an ill-advised tweet. Disgusting.”

“Very inappropriate to meddle in the internal affairs of a country in this way,” tweeted @PeccaviConsults. “Very poor judgment on the part of whoever is managing this account.”

“It’s incredibly offensive,” tweeted Nisreen Alwan, associate professor of public health at the University of Southampton.

“The British people overwhelmingly support Ukrainians in their struggle for self-determination against this modern day Nazism,” said podcaster and blogger James Dart. tweeted. “Brits overwhelmingly hate Boris Johnson too. He’s corrupt. He’s selfish. This is Britain Trump. Please stop bragging about him.”

“It’s very badly judged”, twet Andy Sawford, former member of the British parliament.

While the Ukrainian Twitter account may have shared the meme as a message of support for Johnson, it could also present a mixed message for those familiar with the main character and storyline of You better call Saul.

The breaking Bad spin-off starred Odenkirk as attorney Jimmy McGill, who changed his name to Saul Goodman while becoming increasingly unethical. At the end of the show’s final season, which aired this year, the character seemed unlikely to make a triumphant return.

Newsweek has contacted the British Embassy and the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, DC, for comment.