Boris Johnson: Putin Must Accept Russia Is No Longer an Empire

In a candid online interview Eesti Ekspress, former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson lambasted Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him a “f***ing idiot” and condemning Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine as “archaic and barbaric.”

Johnson emphasized the need for the West to convey to Putin that Russia is no longer an empire, drawing parallels to the U.K.’s acceptance of its post-imperialist role. He urged NATO to adopt a clear stance and fast-track Ukraine’s accession to the alliance, criticizing the organization’s “chronically ambiguous” approach toward Kyiv.

A staunch supporter of Ukraine during his time as prime minister from 2019 to 2022, Johnson visited the country multiple times after the full-scale invasion began. He highlighted that Moscow must come to terms with the independence of nations like Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, which are no longer under Russian control.