Boris Johnson stated that the “amazing” chat took place in February after he had visited Kyiv to demonstrate Western support for Ukraine in the face of mounting fears of a Russian invasion. The Kremlin, however, has denounced this assertion as “a fraud.”
The Kremlin has dubbed former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson a liar and disputed his claims that Vladimir Putin threatened to murder him with a missile in a phone call before Russia invaded Ukraine.
In an “unusual” meeting that took place in February after the former prime minister had visited Kyiv. The Russian president allegedly warned him. “I don’t want to hurt you, but with a missile, it would only take a minute”
On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called Johnson’s statement “more accurately a fabrication.”
“There were no missile threats,” Mr. Peskov stated.
“It is either a planned falsehood – you must ask Mr. Johnson why he chose to phrase it in that manner. Or it was an unconscious lie and he did not comprehend what Putin was discussing with him.”
Mr. Peskov stated that President Putin told Mr. Johnson that if Ukraine joined NATO, US or NATO missiles stationed near Russia’s borders would be able to reach Moscow in a matter of minutes, and he speculated that the statement may have been misunderstood.
He continued, “If that’s how this passage was interpreted, then it’s a problematic issue.”
Mr. Johnson, who became a key supporter of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration in the months following the Russian invasion, made the assertion.
The former prime minister recalled that during his visit to Kyiv, he told Mr. Putin that an invasion of Ukraine would be devastating and would result in increased Western sanctions on Russia.
Mr. Johnson also told Putin that the escalation would only increase Western backing for Ukraine. Which would result in “more NATO, not less NATO” on Russia’s borders.
What is the near future?
“He said, ‘Boris, you claim Ukraine will not join NATO shortly. […] What is the near future?’ I responded, “Well, it’s not going to join NATO shortly.” Mr. Johnson responded to Mr. Putin during a phone chat, “You know that flawlessly.”
“At one point, he threatened me by saying, “Boris, I don’t want to hurt you. But with a rocket, it would just take a minute,” or words of that effect.
“Based on his very calm manner and impression of detachment”. The author believes he was playing along with my attempts to negotiate.
Mr. Johnson made an unexpected trip to Ukraine earlier this month amid heightened scrutiny of his finances.
He considered it an “honor” to be invited by Mr. Zelenskyy, with whom he had a good working relationship during his time in government, to visit the war-torn nation.
According to Downing Street, Rishi Sunak was “supportive” of the visit, despite allegations that it may threaten his authority in foreign policy.
Mr. Johnson was photographed in Borodianka, a town near Kyiv severely destroyed by the Russian assault.
