Boris Johnson inadvertently thanks Vladimir Putin for his 'inspirational leadership'

Boris Johnson made a significant verbal error when he thanked Vladimir Putin instead of Volodymyr Zelensky for his "inspirational leadership".
In his first major contribution as a backbench MP during a debate in the House of Commons, the ex-conservative prime minister said it was important to 'double our efforts in our defense of Ukrainians' if Mr Putin doubled down on his 'aggression'.
As he listed the reasons why Ukraine's counteroffensive proves successful, Mr Johnson inadvertently thanked Mr Putin for his 'inspirational leadership', before quickly pulling himself together and thanking Mr Zelensky.
He said: "Thanks to the heroism of the Ukrainian armed forces, thanks in part to the weapons we are proud to offer, I commend my right hon. friend (James Heappey) for his description of the work of the British armed forces, the weapons we send, the huge list …
“Thanks also, of course, to the inspiring leadership of Vladimir Putin…”
Mr. Johnson immediately realized his mistake and added: "The inspiring leadership of Volodymyr Zelensky, forgive me, Russian forces have in recent days been expelled from large parts of the northeast of the country around Kharkiv .
“And they are under increasing pressure in Kherson in the south, and I have no doubt that the Ukrainians will win.”

Mr Johnson's slippage came during a general debate on the situation in Ukraine.
Boris Johnson speaking in the Commons as MPs paid tribute to The Queen (PA) (PA Wire)
It was the second time the MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip has made a backbench contribution to the Commons.
< p>In his first appearance since stepping down as Prime Minister, Mr Johnson paid tribute to the Queen at the two-day special event in Parliament.
During his speech on Ukraine, Mr Johnson also said the UK must be ready to provide "more military assistance" and "more economic support" to Kyiv.
He said: "If Putin wants to double down on his aggression, so we must redouble our efforts in our defense of Ukrainians, and we must be prepared to provide more military assistance and more economic support, and I warmly welcome this government's announcements this week. »
Mr. Johnson also warned against encouraging Ukrainians to strike a deal to "swap land for peace" to allow Russian gas to flow to Europe.

Politics Sep 23, 2022 0 90 Add to Reading List

Boris Johnson inadvertently thanks Vladimir Putin for his 'inspirational leadership'

Boris Johnson made a significant verbal error when he thanked Vladimir Putin instead of Volodymyr Zelensky for his "inspirational leadership".

In his first major contribution as a backbench MP during a debate in the House of Commons, the ex-conservative prime minister said it was important to 'double our efforts in our defense of Ukrainians' if Mr Putin doubled down on his 'aggression'.

As he listed the reasons why Ukraine's counteroffensive proves successful, Mr Johnson inadvertently thanked Mr Putin for his 'inspirational leadership', before quickly pulling himself together and thanking Mr Zelensky.

He said: "Thanks to the heroism of the Ukrainian armed forces, thanks in part to the weapons we are proud to offer, I commend my right hon. friend (James Heappey) for his description of the work of the British armed forces, the weapons we send, the huge list …

“Thanks also, of course, to the inspiring leadership of Vladimir Putin…”

Mr. Johnson immediately realized his mistake and added: "The inspiring leadership of Volodymyr Zelensky, forgive me, Russian forces have in recent days been expelled from large parts of the northeast of the country around Kharkiv .

“And they are under increasing pressure in Kherson in the south, and I have no doubt that the Ukrainians will win.”

Mr Johnson's slippage came during a general debate on the situation in Ukraine.

Boris Johnson speaking in the Commons as MPs paid tribute to The Queen (PA) (PA Wire)

It was the second time the MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip has made a backbench contribution to the Commons.

< p>In his first appearance since stepping down as Prime Minister, Mr Johnson paid tribute to the Queen at the two-day special event in Parliament.

During his speech on Ukraine, Mr Johnson also said the UK must be ready to provide "more military assistance" and "more economic support" to Kyiv.

He said: "If Putin wants to double down on his aggression, so we must redouble our efforts in our defense of Ukrainians, and we must be prepared to provide more military assistance and more economic support, and I warmly welcome this government's announcements this week. »

Mr. Johnson also warned against encouraging Ukrainians to strike a deal to "swap land for peace" to allow Russian gas to flow to Europe.