In a bold statement ahead of the release of his memoir Unleashed, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if Donald Trump had still been in the White House. Johnson asserted that Trump’s unpredictable nature and strong stance on global affairs would have deterred Putin from taking military action.
In an exclusive interview with The Telegraph, Johnson claimed, “From the Kremlin’s point of view, there was a real risk that Trump would have construed an attack on a European country as an affront to America and to the world order, and might have come down hard.” He emphasized that the world benefits from a powerful U.S. leadership, saying, “The world is a happier, more prosperous place when you have a strong America and a strong leader, and when people feel that some sort of order is being maintained.”
Johnson’s remarks come as Ukraine remains locked in a brutal war with Russia, which began in February 2022 in what is now the largest conflict in Europe since World War II. The invasion has resulted in hundreds of thousands of military casualties and significant civilian losses in Ukraine. Johnson’s comments highlight the continued global concern over Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty and democracy.
When asked about the possibility of Trump returning to office and its implications for Ukraine, Johnson insisted that Trump would not sacrifice Ukrainian freedom. “Ukraine’s fight is absolutely existential for freedom and democracy in Europe,” he said, adding that Trump would not want to be remembered as the president who allowed Russia to restore a Soviet-style dominance.
Johnson, a close ally of the U.S. during his tenure as prime minister, refrained from answering questions about his own political future, including the possibility of a return to No. 10 Downing Street. His focus, however, remains clear: the need for strong leadership in both the U.S. and Europe to counter rising threats from authoritarian regimes.
