Boris Johnson says the West is in a ‘proxy war’ with Russia
Boris Johnson has stated that the West is utilizing Ukraine as a “proxy” in its conflict with Russia, yet he believes it is not adequately supplying the country with the necessary weaponry. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stated that Ukraine is not receiving the weapons necessary “to do the job.” He asserted that the West is essentially employing Ukraine as a means to confront Russia and urged that it should not hesitate to provide more arms to Kiev.
In a conversation with the Daily Telegraph on Thursday, Johnson expressed his disappointment with the West's perceived lack of determination in supporting Ukraine, emphasizing the need to disregard fears of potential escalation.
“The problem has not been escalation; the problem has been the failure to escalate fast enough. It has been the dithering, the delay, and the nickel-and-diming of the [support] measures,” he remarked, highlighting the paralysis in the US Congress in late 2023 and early 2024 that hindered aid to Kiev. “That was a nightmare for Ukraine,” he added.
Johnson noted that a similar hesitancy surrounded the initial decision to authorize Ukrainian strikes deep within Russia using long-range missiles provided by the UK, France, and the US, and pointed out that Germany is still resisting calls to take a comparable step.
“It has been pathetic… Let’s face it: We’re waging a proxy war but not giving our proxies the ability to do the job. For years now, we’ve been allowing them to fight with one hand tied behind their backs, and it has been cruel,” Johnson asserted.
He believes the West should prioritize advancing Kiev’s NATO membership, enhance military and logistical support for Ukraine without engaging in direct conflict with Russia, and increase financial aid.
Furthermore, Johnson emphasized the importance of clarity regarding the desired resolution to the conflict. “Until and unless we clear it up, you won’t persuade [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to back down,” he argued.
Moscow has accused Johnson of obstructing peace negotiations in Istanbul in the spring of 2022, alleging he advised Ukraine to continue fighting. Close associates of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have acknowledged Johnson’s significant influence. However, Johnson has dismissed this allegation as “an absolute steaming, stinking lie,” contending that Ukraine would never have consented to Russia’s demands, which included downsizing the Ukrainian military and essentially recognizing territorial losses.
Russia has repeatedly charged that the West is using Ukraine as a “battering ram” against it, warning that increased arms deliveries will not alter the conflict's outcome. Moscow has also cautioned that the approval for strikes deep in Russian territory using foreign long-range weapons would represent a serious escalation.
In response to several Ukrainian strikes, Russia launched an attack on a Ukrainian defense facility utilizing its advanced Oreshnik medium-range hypersonic missile.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
In a conversation with the Daily Telegraph on Thursday, Johnson expressed his disappointment with the West's perceived lack of determination in supporting Ukraine, emphasizing the need to disregard fears of potential escalation.
“The problem has not been escalation; the problem has been the failure to escalate fast enough. It has been the dithering, the delay, and the nickel-and-diming of the [support] measures,” he remarked, highlighting the paralysis in the US Congress in late 2023 and early 2024 that hindered aid to Kiev. “That was a nightmare for Ukraine,” he added.
Johnson noted that a similar hesitancy surrounded the initial decision to authorize Ukrainian strikes deep within Russia using long-range missiles provided by the UK, France, and the US, and pointed out that Germany is still resisting calls to take a comparable step.
“It has been pathetic… Let’s face it: We’re waging a proxy war but not giving our proxies the ability to do the job. For years now, we’ve been allowing them to fight with one hand tied behind their backs, and it has been cruel,” Johnson asserted.
He believes the West should prioritize advancing Kiev’s NATO membership, enhance military and logistical support for Ukraine without engaging in direct conflict with Russia, and increase financial aid.
Furthermore, Johnson emphasized the importance of clarity regarding the desired resolution to the conflict. “Until and unless we clear it up, you won’t persuade [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to back down,” he argued.
Moscow has accused Johnson of obstructing peace negotiations in Istanbul in the spring of 2022, alleging he advised Ukraine to continue fighting. Close associates of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have acknowledged Johnson’s significant influence. However, Johnson has dismissed this allegation as “an absolute steaming, stinking lie,” contending that Ukraine would never have consented to Russia’s demands, which included downsizing the Ukrainian military and essentially recognizing territorial losses.
Russia has repeatedly charged that the West is using Ukraine as a “battering ram” against it, warning that increased arms deliveries will not alter the conflict's outcome. Moscow has also cautioned that the approval for strikes deep in Russian territory using foreign long-range weapons would represent a serious escalation.
In response to several Ukrainian strikes, Russia launched an attack on a Ukrainian defense facility utilizing its advanced Oreshnik medium-range hypersonic missile.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
