Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has strongly rebuked U.S. President Donald Trump over his claims that Ukraine is the aggressor in the ongoing war with Russia. Johnson categorically rejected the notion, calling it “pure Kremlin propaganda” and reiterating that Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion unprovoked.
Johnson’s remarks come after Trump suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy bore responsibility for the conflict, a claim that has been widely criticized by Western leaders and analysts. During recent statements, Trump echoed Russian narratives by downplaying Putin’s role in the war and implying that Ukraine provoked the conflict. However, evidence overwhelmingly shows that Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 without provocation, violating international law and triggering a humanitarian crisis.
Addressing these claims, Johnson firmly placed the blame on Putin, stating that the Russian leader was not acting out of fear of NATO expansion but rather as a power-hungry autocrat seeking to revive the Russian empire.
“Putin launched his war not because he was worried about NATO—that’s pure Kremlin propaganda—but because he is a ruthless opportunist, who had been in power for two decades, and who thought he could revive his political fortunes with a short, sharp war to rebuild the Russian empire,” Johnson declared.
The former UK leader also praised Zelenskyy for his resilience, rejecting any attempts to portray him as an aggressor. He contrasted Zelenskyy’s leadership with Putin’s authoritarian rule, emphasizing the Ukrainian president’s commitment to democracy.
“Everybody can see that Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not a dictator but a democrat courageously defending his country against an aggressor. He doesn’t shoot journalists. He doesn’t poison his opponents or send them to the Gulag. That’s Putin.”
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Johnson’s remarks add to the growing criticism of Trump’s stance on Ukraine, which has alarmed European allies. Trump’s claims have been interpreted as an effort to justify reducing U.S. support for Ukraine, a move that many fear would embolden Putin and undermine the security of Europe.
As the war continues, Johnson remains a vocal advocate for Ukraine, urging Western nations to stand firm against Russian aggression and reject misinformation designed to shift blame away from the true instigator of the conflict.
