Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson called on the West to supply warplanes to Ukraine during a visit to Washington just hours after the ouster of his successor Rishi Sunak.
After visiting Capitol Hill on Tuesday, the former Conservative leader said the West must “give Ukrainians what they need as soon as possible” to repel Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine has urged Western countries to supply fighter jets after the US and Germany announced last week that they would supply the coveted tanks to Kyiv.
But Mr. Sunak said on Tuesday morning that it was “not practical” for the UK to send its planes, while US President Joe Biden answered a resounding “no” to a question from reporters at the White House on Monday whether Washington would send F-16s. .
Mr Johnson, who left Downing Street in September after three years in power, said the West should “double” aid to Ukraine and dismissed fears that further aid would spark a nuclear conflict.
“It’s him [Russian President Vladimir Putin] wants you to think,” Johnson, 58, said.
Asked about the likelihood that Ukraine will receive American F-16 fighters, he said: “Every time we said it would be a mistake to give this or that weapon, we end up doing it, and in the end it’s right. for Ukraine.
“I remember being told that it was a bad idea to give them portable anti-tank missiles. In fact they were necessary [. . . ] in these battles to repulse the Russian tanks.
“People said we shouldn’t give them khimar [. . . ] In fact, they have proved invaluable to Ukrainians. We said the same thing about tanks.”
“Save time, save money, save lives,” Johnson said. FoxNews. “Give the Ukrainians what they need as soon as possible. do this thing. Forget about Putin. Strive for long-term economic stability, peace and prosperity.”
Johnson was scheduled to return to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to meet with the Republican Research Committee, which includes several Republicans who openly oppose further support for Ukraine. Time reported. He will also discuss “the importance of Western unity and support for Ukraine and what else can be done about the Russian threat” at the Atlantic Council think tank and appeared on ABC News.
Mr Johnson, who in his heyday tried to position the UK as Ukraine’s best ally, visited Washington late last month after visiting the Kyiv suburbs of Bucha and Borodyanka. These areas have become synonymous in the West with Russian atrocities in Ukraine.
Moscow rejects accusations of war crimes committed by Ukraine and its Western allies.
Earlier this year, Republicans took control of the Democratic House of Representatives, and some hardliners called for an end to U.S. military and other aid to Ukraine.
The U.S. is also reportedly providing more than $2 billion (£1.62 billion) in military aid to Ukraine, which is expected to include long-range missiles and other munitions and weapons for the first time, two U.S. officials briefed on the matter said. incident. matter Reuters Tuesday.
During his visit to the US, Johnson on Tuesday spoke with Republican Chief Speaker Kevin McCarthy in his office and also met with several senators.
On Tuesday, he spoke at a private club in Washington and met with US Representative Joe Wilson, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Additional agency reporting
Source: I News
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