Boris Johnson Demands European Military Presence in Ukraine, Slams Energy Dependence on Russia
In a fiery speech delivered in Kyiv on the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a stark call to action, urging European nations to deploy non-combat troops to Ukrainian soil immediately. He lambasted Europe for what he described as a lack of urgency in pressuring Russia to end the conflict, warning that current efforts are insufficient and risk prolonging the war at a greater cost.
Europe's Insufficient Pressure and the Call for Boots on the Ground
Johnson asserted that Europe is currently applying only a fraction of the pressure it could muster against Russia. "Europe is only applying a tenth of the pressure that it can on Russia. Things need to go up a gear to stop the war," he declared. He proposed that European non-combat troops could be sent to assist with logistical and support roles, such as reopening Lviv airport, rather than waiting for a ceasefire. This move, he argued, would demonstrate Europe's unwavering commitment to Ukraine's security and future, sending a clear signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Putin's Perceived Lack of Deterrence and the Futility of Concessions
The former prime minister expressed concern that Putin does not perceive Europe as determined enough, thus feeling no compulsion to negotiate a peace deal. Johnson dismissed the idea of Ukraine ceding territory like the Donbas region in exchange for a ceasefire, stating, "Where is the evidence that if Ukraine gives up the Donbas, Russia will go for a ceasefire? Putin will just pocket the Donbas and continue his aggression." He emphasized that without a strong European stance, Putin's aggression is likely to persist unabated.
Reaffirming the Trans-Atlantic Alliance and Criticizing Energy Imports
Despite his criticism, Johnson was quick to reaffirm the importance of the NATO alliance, cautioning against any notion of Europe acting independently. He highlighted that the United States provides 70% of NATO's military capabilities and 100% of its heavy-lift capabilities, making European solo efforts unrealistic. "All this talk of breaking the Trans-Atlantic alliance is unrealistic and only music to Putin's ears," he remarked.
Johnson also took aim at Europe's ongoing reliance on Russian energy, revealing that the continent still imports approximately 12% of its energy from Russia, amounting to nearly $1 billion monthly. "We are still importing around 12% of our energy from Russia. That's nearly $1bn to Putin every month," he noted. He questioned why Europe continues these purchases while the US works to curb other countries, like India, from buying Russian oil. This financial support, he argued, undermines efforts to pressure Russia economically.
Warning of a Costly Victory Without European Action
In his concluding remarks, Johnson expressed confidence in Ukraine's eventual victory but warned that the price would be significantly higher if Europe fails to escalate its support. "Ukraine will win eventually. But that victory will come at a much higher price if Europe doesn't step up," he stated. His speech underscored the need for a coordinated, robust European response to not only aid Ukraine but also to deter further Russian aggression effectively.
