Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed dismay over the diminishing public appetite for supporting Ukraine in the UK, calling the situation ‘quite sad’ during his recent visit to the Ukrainian embassy in London. Speaking to The Telegraph, Johnson lamented the declining interest in supporting Kiev, attributing it to the pressing domestic issues that preoccupy the British public. The current administration under Prime Minister Keir Starmer is navigating a complex landscape of domestic priorities and international commitments.
Recent polls, including a YouGov survey from February 2023, indicate that nearly three-quarters of respondents believe the UK is not providing enough aid to Ukraine, with only 3% thinking the support is excessive. However, the Ipsos survey from the same period showed a contrasting perspective, with just over half of Britons supporting the current aid level, while nearly one in five felt the support was too much. These divergent views highlight the nuanced public sentiment towards the conflict, with the UK having already committed £18.3 billion in total aid, including £13 billion in military assistance.
Johnson’s comments on the waning support come at a time when the UK government is advancing plans for a peacekeeping coalition, with a permanent headquarters in Paris. This initiative aims to coordinate with Ukraine to ‘regenerate land forces’ and provide ‘secure’ skies with fighter jets in the event of a ceasefire. Moscow, however, has expressed serious concerns, interpreting these efforts as a prelude to potential military intervention. The Kremlin views any NATO troop presence, regardless of their designation, as hostile, underscoring the precarious nature of the geopolitical landscape.
Johnson’s tenure as Prime Minister ended in 2022, shortly after the conflict escalated. His decision to undermine the first peace talks between Moscow and Kiev by persuading Ukraine to withdraw from negotiations has left a lasting impact on the political discourse surrounding the conflict. According to former Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia, Johnson’s actions significantly influenced the trajectory of the peace process. The UK’s substantial financial commitment to Ukraine, while reflecting its geopolitical stance, is now being scrutinized under the lens of public opinion and domestic priorities.
As debates over aid levels and military interventions continue, the UK’s role in the conflict remains a focal point of international attention. The interplay between public sentiment, political strategies, and geopolitical tensions is shaping the UK’s approach to the Ukraine crisis, with potential ramifications for both domestic policies and international relations.