That's not an insult to Ukrainians. He's praising their fortitude and resolve. As he says they are not hostile to foreigners, they don't think they're better off making accommodations with tyranny, and they do want to be free to do things differently and for their country to be able to run itself.
Whilst I realise that this is an opportunity to Boris-bash, maggiebee, as an avid Scottish Nationalist, I would have thought that you of all people would understand the point of principle he's making - because that's what he's doing. If you don't perhaps you should read it again and try harder.