Boris Johnson claims that Vladimir Putin threatened to kill him with a missile before the Russian invasion of Ukraine Political News

Boris Johnson has claimed that Vladimir Putin threatened to kill him with a missile in a name forward of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The previous prime minister claims it Russian leader he informed him “I do not need to harm you, however with a missile it could solely take a minute” in an “extraordinary” interview that occurred in February after he visited Kyiv.

Mr. Johnsonwho would turn into a key supporter Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky administration made the declare within the months after Russia’s invasion as a part of a brand new BBC Two collection taking a look at how the West handled Mr Putin within the years main as much as the struggle.

The previous prime minister recalled that he had warned Mr. Putin throughout a go to to Kiev that an invasion of Ukraine can be disastrous and that if he did, there can be harder Western sanctions towards Russia.

Johnson additionally stated he informed the Russian chief that the escalation would solely result in Western nations rising their help for Ukraine, that means “extra NATO, not much less NATO” on Russia’s borders.

“He stated: ‘Boris, you say that Ukraine will not be going to affix NATO anytime quickly. […] What’s coming quickly?” and I stated, “Okay, it is not going to be becoming a member of NATO within the foreseeable future. You already know that completely effectively,” Johnson stated of the decision with Putin.

“At one level he was type of threatening me, saying, ‘Boris, I do not need to harm you, however it could solely take a minute with a racket’ or one thing like that.

“I feel from the very relaxed tone he was utilizing, the type of aloofness he had, he was simply toying with my makes an attempt to get him to barter.

Earlier this month, Mr. Johnson made an unexpected visit to Ukraine amid renewed scrutiny of his private funds.

The previous prime minister stated it was a “privilege” to be invited by the president to the war-torn nation Volodymyr Zelenskyi, with whom he had a detailed working relationship throughout his time in workplace.

Downing Avenue instructed Rishi Sunak was “encouraging” the go to after claiming it may undermine his authority in overseas coverage.

Mr Johnson was pictured visiting Borodianka close to Kiev – a badly broken metropolis Russian invasion.

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In a press release, Mr Johnson stated: “The struggling of the folks of Ukraine has gone on for a lot too lengthy.

“The one solution to finish this struggle is for Ukraine to win — and win as rapidly as doable. That is the time to double down and provides Ukrainians all of the instruments they should get the job performed.”

A spokesman for Mr Johnson added that he absolutely supported the UK authorities’s coverage in direction of Ukraine, together with the recent decision to send Challenger 2 tanks.

The ex-prime minister offered himself as a key ally of Kiev throughout his time in Quantity 10, offering help and urging Western allies to comply with go well with within the early days of Russia’s invasion final February.

As his scandal-plagued premiership unraveled, Mr Johnson was accused of utilizing journeys to Ukraine or cellphone calls with Mr Zelensky as a distraction from crises at residence.

The journey got here amid accusations from BBC chairman Richard Sharpe he helped the former prime minister arrange a guarantee for the loan – and that Mr Johnson later really helpful Mr Sharp for the function of BBC chairman.

A spokesman for Mr Johnson dismissed the report as “redundancy”.

Senior Tories have raised issues concerning the journey, with Commons protection choose committee chairman Tobias Ellwood telling the newspaper that Mr Johnson “shouldn’t intrude with information or official strains of communication” between London and Kiev.