Trump must see Putin's true nature - Boris Johnson
Former UK PM Boris Johnson at the YES meeting on Feb. 24, 2026 (Photo: Victor Pinchuk Foundation)
The U.S. President Donald Trump must make to force the Kremlin toward peace as he simply needs to accept that Vladimir Putin is a "very, very bad man", Former UK PM Boris Johnson said in an interview with NV on Feb. 25.
He made these statement on the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion at the YES meeting in Kyiv, organized by Viktor Pinchuk foundation.
Johnson emphasized that he maintains a strong rapport with Trump and lacks any "allergic reaction" to his leadership. However, he stressed that the key to American support lies in a moral clarity that has, at times, seemed blurred in Washington.
"Personally, I get along with him [Donald Trump - ed.] very well," Johnson said.
"I think he just needs to understand that Putin is a very, very bad person, and that Ukraine is an innocent country that needs U.S. support."
Johnson argued that while the West possesses the tools to break the Russian war machine, it has yet to apply them with sufficient force. He called for a massive escalation in pressure, specifically targeting Russia’s shadow fleet of oil tankers and significantly increasing military and financial aid to Kyiv.
"We must show Putin that we are serious, and we are not doing that yet," Johnson added.
One mechanism Johnson highlighted as a game-changer is the sanctions bill introduced by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. The legislation proposes a staggering 500% tariff on any nation or entity trading in Russian oil and gas — a move designed to turn Russian energy into a toxic asset globally.
"It is a real mechanism of pressure," Johnson stated, expressing hope that the U.S. would finally pass the measure.
Addressing the concern that Putin cannot afford to lose the war due to Russia’s military-industrial dependency, Johnson dismissed the idea that the West should worry about the dictator’s political survival. He argued that as a total autocrat, Putin can spin any outcome as a victory to his domestic audience.
"We don't need to worry about him from a political point of view. But we need to significantly increase the costs for Putin: financial, military, political," Johnson concluded.
"We haven't done it yet. This year is exactly the time to do it."
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