RT.com
23 Nov 2022, 17:20 GMT+10
Prior to the conflict, Berlin believed a long conflict would be a disaster, the former UK prime minister says
Germany was initially in favor of Ukraine being quickly overrun by Russia rather than putting up a long fight, due to economic concerns, former British prime minister Boris Johnson claimed on Monday.
Speaking to CNN Portugal, Johnson noted that before Moscow launched its military operation in late February, several Western nations had "very different perspectives" on the brewing conflict.
According to the former prime minister, "the German view was at one stage that if it were going to happen, which would be a disaster, then it would be better for the whole thing to be over quickly, and for Ukraine to fold." He added that this attitude was supported by "all sorts of sound economic reasons".
Johnson went on to say that the French leadership was "in denial right up until the last moment" on Russia's plans to send troops into Ukraine, while the Italian authorities were "simply saying that they would be unable to support" the position embraced other Western countries, given their "massive" dependence on Russian energy.
However, Johnson said Western countries were quick to rally round Kiev after large-scale hostilities broke out. "After all my anxieties... I pay tribute to the way the EU has acted. They have been united. The sanctions were tough," he said.
Following the start of Moscow's military operation in Ukraine, Western countries have significantly ramped up sanctions against Moscow, freezing around half of Russia's gold and foreign exchange reserves, a move that Russia has described as 'theft.' The West has also provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in security assistance. Moscow maintains that these arms shipments only prolong the conflict.
Boris Johnson announced his resignation in early July after a string of high-profile scandals. During his tenure, he forged close ties with President Vladimir Zelensky, who called him "a true friend" due to his "unwavering support" of Ukraine in its fight with Russia.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Herald Globe news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Herald Globe.
More InformationLONG ISLAND, New York: On Thursday, a bus carrying members of a high school marching band traveling to a music ...
GAINESVILLE, Florida: Local police report stopping children, ages 10 and 11, who had driven their family car 200 miles, in ...
Washington, D.C.: This week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit suspended 96-year-old Judge Pauline Newman from hearing ...
NEW YORK: On Tuesday, former U.S. Congressman Stephen Buyer was sentenced to 22 months in prison for trading on inside ...
NEW YORK: This week, the Virginia-based Students for Fair Admissions, founded by affirmative action opponent Edward Blum, sued the U.S. ...
LONDON, U.K.: Jet engine maker CFM International said this week that thousands of engine components may have been sold with ...
(Photo credit: Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK) Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who had been hampered by a ...
(Photo credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports) Estevan Florial hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the eighth ...
(Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports) San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was back at practice on Monday after ...
(Photo credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports) If the Atlanta Falcons expect to get back into the win column when they ...
(Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports) Pitt standout left tackle Matt Goncalves underwent surgery Monday for a lower-body injury and ...
(Photo credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports) Kansas State signed men's basketball coach Jerome Tang to a new seven-year contract on ...