Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called on European nations to stop being “scandalised” by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks on Ukraine and instead focus on efforts to end the ongoing war with Russia.
Writing on X, Boris pushed back against Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine bore responsibility for the war, stating: “Of course Ukraine didn’t start the war. You might as well say that America attacked Japan at Pearl Harbor.”
Trump’s comments, including his assertion that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s approval ratings are as low as 4%, have provoked widespread criticism. However, Boris argued that Trump’s statements were not intended to be taken as historical fact but rather to “shock Europeans into action.” He pointed out that Zelenskyy’s actual approval ratings are “about the same as Trump’s.”
Frozen Russian Assets
A central issue highlighted by Boris is the $300 billion in frozen Russian assets, most of which are held in Belgium. He accused European countries, including Belgium and France, of blocking efforts to release these funds, which could be used to support Ukraine and reimburse the United States for its military aid.
“The US can see $300bn of frozen Russian assets – mainly in Belgium. That is cash that could and should be used to pay Ukraine and compensate the US for its support,” Mr Johnson stated. “Why is Europe preventing the unfreezing of Putin’s cash?”
Calling the situation “absurd,” Boris urged European nations to “get serious and fast” in addressing the issue.
Concerns Over Trump’s Rhetoric
Johnson also criticised Trump’s latest statement on Ukraine—“you should never have started it”—as “awful,” likening it to Orwellian doublespeak from Nineteen Eighty-Four.
“There was hope that Trump would strong-arm both parties into ending the conflict,” Johnson wrote. “But in the interests of both justice and future peace, the basis for this had to be Russia emerging chastened and with a bit of a bloody nose.”
He warned that pretending Russian aggression “never happened” would be “dangerous and irresponsible.”
European Response
Johnson’s remarks come as European leaders continue to reaffirm their support for Ukraine. Keir Starmer recently reiterated the UK’s commitment to Ukraine’s “irreversible path” to NATO membership, a stance that contrasts with Trump’s suggestions that a peace deal could involve Ukraine making territorial concessions to Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron has also spoken out against Trump’s rhetoric, stressing the need for European unity in standing against Russian aggression.
As the war continues, the debate over how best to support Ukraine remains at the forefront of Western policy discussions.
