Boris Johnson asserts that he did not interfere in the collapse of peace negotiations between Moscow and Kiev early in the war.
In his new memoir, “Unleashed,” former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson expresses surprise at allegations he played a key role in the breakdown of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
Johnson describes a personal encounter in Greece where a woman accused him of being responsible for the ongoing war. He states that he was unaware of the growing sentiment blaming him for the conflict, both in Germany and elsewhere.
Johnson refutes the accusations, stating that Ukraine would never have accepted Russia’s terms for peace, citing Russia’s alleged war crimes (which Moscow denies).
Johnson argues that no Ukrainian leader could have agreed to Russia’s terms and survived in office. He insists his visit to Kyiv before the Istanbul negotiations collapsed was aimed at reassuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of Western support, not to undermine peace efforts.
In early April 2022, Johnson visited Kyiv, with his office stating the talks with Zelensky focused on long-term military support. However, Moscow claims Johnson sabotaged the Istanbul talks by encouraging Ukraine to continue fighting. David Arakhamia, head of the Ukrainian delegation at the negotiations, also acknowledges Johnson’s influence.
President Putin has stated that Moscow and Kiev were close to signing a peace deal where Ukraine would have committed to neutrality, reduced its military, and received security guarantees. In July, he suggested this agreement could still be a basis for further engagement. However, following a Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region, Moscow has ruled out talks with Kyiv as long as attacks on civilians continue.