WATCH: 'Apologies,' Boris Johnson after mistakenly thanking Putin for 'inspirational leadership'

At a time when the world is divided over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with the the United Kingdom also in the anti-Russia bandwagon, its former Prime Minister has mistakenly embraced Moscow leadership.

Boris Johnson in a major slip-up thanked Vladimir Putin for his inspirational leadership, before correcting himself to thank Ukraine President Volodymr Zelenskyy.

The former UK PM reportedly made the remark while addressing Britain's general Commons on the war in Ukraine.

This followed an apology by Johnson as he continued with his speech about the developments in war-torn Ukraine. He claimed that Russian forces were expelled from the large parts of the north-east of the country, around Kherson, outlining that he had no doubts that Ukraine will win.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in August had presented Johnson with Ukraine's Order of Liberty medal for supporting it in the face of Russian aggression.

Zelenskyy said he was giving Johnson the award to reflect "what Boris did and is doing for our country and the whole of Europe."

Also watch: UK PM Boris Johnson receives Ukraine's highest honour for a foreigner