Boris Johnson Expresses Concern Over Declining UK Support for Ukraine

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed disappointment regarding the dwindling support for Ukraine among the British public. Speaking during an event at the Ukrainian embassy in London on March 15, 2024, Johnson lamented the current state of enthusiasm for aiding Kiev, stating, “The interest in Ukraine and the appetite is so low nowadays. I find it quite sad.”

Johnson’s comments come amid a backdrop of shifting public opinion. Recent polling data indicates a notable decline in support for aid to Ukraine. A YouGov poll conducted in February 2023 revealed that nearly three-quarters of respondents believed the UK was not providing sufficient assistance to Ukraine, with only 3% expressing the view that support was excessive. In contrast, an Ipsos survey from the same month found that just over half of Britons were satisfied with the current level of aid, while nearly one in five felt that too much support was being given.

The UK government has committed a total of £18.3 billion (approximately $24.5 billion) in aid to Ukraine, which includes £13 billion (around $17.4 billion) in military assistance. This financial support reflects the UK’s ongoing commitment to assist Ukraine in the face of the ongoing conflict with Russia.

In discussing the current administration led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Johnson acknowledged the challenges faced by the government. He noted, “There are a lot of domestic issues that are very difficult right now, and you can see why they’re distracted.” This comment highlights the multifaceted pressures on the current leadership, which is grappling with various domestic issues while trying to maintain international commitments.

The UK has also been active in proposing the deployment of “peacekeeping” troops to Ukraine, should a ceasefire be established. Recently, Starmer’s government announced the formation of a coalition aimed at coordinating with Ukraine to “regenerate land forces” and secure airspace with fighter jets if hostilities cease. This coalition has set up a permanent headquarters in Paris to facilitate these efforts.

Moscow, however, has responded with caution, viewing the proposed initiative as a potential precursor to military intervention. Russian officials have warned that any NATO troops entering Ukraine, even under the guise of peacekeeping, would be seen as hostile.

Boris Johnson, who resigned as Prime Minister in 2022, played a significant role in the initial stages of the Ukraine conflict. He was instrumental in disrupting earlier peace negotiations between Moscow and Kiev by persuading Ukrainian officials to withdraw from discussions held in Istanbul that year, according to David Arakhamia, the head negotiator for Ukraine at the time.

As the international community continues to monitor the situation in Ukraine, Johnson’s remarks underscore a growing concern about the level of public interest and support for Ukraine within the UK. The evolving landscape of domestic politics may influence the UK’s future engagement with the conflict and its commitment to supporting Ukraine against external aggression.