Outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged his successor to “stay close to Americans” in a parting message to the House of Commons, the lower house of British Parliament.

Johnson, who is slated to depart 10 Downing Street on Sept. 6, encouraged lawmakers to strengthen the trans-Atlantic alliance and support Ukraine in its efforts to fend off Russia’s invasion before members of the Conservative Party headed in to vote for the two finalists for his successor.