To receive breaking news updates in your email inbox for free, sign up for our breaking news emails.
Register for our complimentary email alerts for breaking news updates.
Vladimir Putin has restated an assertion that Boris Johnson sabotaged talks for a peaceful resolution between Russia and Ukraine, a statement that the ex-prime minister of the UK has previously dismissed as “ridiculous”.
In a highly anticipated interview with former Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson, the Russian president stated through a translator that a significant document had been prepared and endorsed by the leader of the Ukrainian delegation. However, Mr. Johnson intervened and convinced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky not to proceed with it.
“He signed the document and stated, ‘We were prepared to sign it and end the war much earlier.’ However, Prime Minister Johnson intervened and we missed the opportunity.”
During a January interview with The Times, Mr. Johnson firmly refuted allegations, previously stated by Moscow, as “complete rubbish” and “Russian propaganda.”
During a discussion with Mr. Zelensky after the peace negotiations in Istanbul, Mr. Johnson stated that he had raised concerns about the potential agreement, but also assured him of the UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine.
According to him, it was not possible to make any peace proposals or agreements in February or March 2022. He also stated that Russia’s motive for entering Ukraine was solely to capture territories, harm civilians, and remove a democratically elected government.
Tucker Carlson interviews Vladimir Putin.
In November 2023, David Arahamiya, leader of the Servant of the People party faction in the Verkhovna Rada and head of the Ukrainian delegation in talks with Russia, made statements that were countered by the former prime minister.
Mr Arahamiya cited a previous vist by Mr Johnson to Kyiv as forming part of the decision not to negotiate with Moscow in 2022. Mr Johnson had allegedly said that Ukraine “shouldn’t sign anything with them at all – and let’s just fight.”
Regarding the suggested talks, Mr. Putin added, “We have never declined…and the idea that they followed the request or influence of Mr. Johnson, the previous prime minister of Great Britain, appears absurd and extremely unfortunate to me.”
“According to Mr. Arahamiya, we had the opportunity to end the hostilities a year and a half ago through war. However, the British convinced us otherwise and we rejected this option. Now, where is Mr. Johnson while the war persists?”
When questioned about the whereabouts of Mr. Johnson, Mr. Putin chuckled and responded, “Who knows, I can’t even figure it out myself.”
Robert F Kennedy Jr, a potential candidate for the 2024 presidential election, had previously suggested that Mr Johnson may have been involved in peace negotiations between the two countries. Rumors of a potential conspiracy had circulated.
In June 2023, Mr Kennedy posted on X/Twitter that it appeared the Biden Administration had sent Boris Johnson to disrupt a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine in the spring of 2022. The intention behind this action was not to support the Ukrainian people, but rather to provoke a conflict with Russia.
The Independent, a UK-based online newspaper, is a source of news, analysis, and opinion from a diverse group of journalists
The Independent, an online newspaper based in the UK, provides a wide range of news, analysis, and opinions from a diverse team of journalists.
