Putin repeats Boris Johnson's 'absurd' claim that derailed efforts to end Ukraine invasion

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Vladimir Putin has reiterated his claim that Boris Johnson derailed negotiations for a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, which the former British Prime Minister previously called it "absurd."

In a highly anticipated interview with former Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson, the Russian president said, through a translator, that a “huge document” had been prepared and approved by the head of the Ukrainian delegation, before Mr. Johnson. had intervened and "dissuaded" Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Putin said of Zelensky: "He put his signature, then he himself said: 'We were ready to sign it and the war would have lasted a long time. "However, Prime Minister Johnson came to talk us [Ukraine] out of it, and we missed that opportunity."

In an interview in January, Mr Johnson strongly denied these claims , which were previously released by Moscow, calling them "complete nonsense" and "Russian propaganda."

Mr. Johnson claimed that in a conversation with Mr Zelensky following peace talks in Istanbul, he had "expressed concerns" about the nature of the potential deal, but assured him of the Kingdom's unwavering support -United with Ukraine.

He said: “No peace proposals or peace agreements were possible in February or March 2022. Russia entered Ukraine only for fun. with the aim of seizing territories, killing citizens and overthrowing a democratic government. »

Tucker Carlson interviewing Vladimir Putin

(Tucker Carlson)

The rebuttal of former Prime Minister follows statements made by David Arakhamiya, head of the Servant of the People party in the Ukrainian parliament and head of the Ukrainian delegation in talks with Russia, in November 2023.

Mr. Arakhamiya cited a previous visit by Mr Johnson to Kiev as part of the decision not to negotiate with Moscow in 2022. Mr Johnson reportedly said Ukraine "should not sign anything with them at all – and let's fight ".

Speaking of the proposed negotiations, Mr. Putin continues...