Former UK PM Johnson Says US and UK Withdrawal from Afghanistan Emboldened Putin to Invade Ukraine

Boris Johnson, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, stated that the withdrawal of American and British forces from Afghanistan emboldened Vladimir Putin to launch an attack on Ukraine. He emphasized that Moscow’s perception of Western weakness following the events in Afghanistan played a role in the Kremlin’s decision to initiate a full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Speaking to the BBC as the fourth anniversary of the Ukraine war approached, Johnson added that the West’s failure to strongly support Kyiv after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 was a key factor in shaping the current conflict. He also pointed out that the international community’s inability to respond decisively to the use of chemical weapons in Syria further influenced Kremlin calculations.

The former UK prime minister proposed that London and its European allies should promptly deploy non-combat troops to Ukraine. He believes the presence of such forces would serve as a practical demonstration of Western countries’ commitment to Ukraine’s freedom and independence. Johnson clarified that these forces would have no combat role.

Currently, the “Volunteer Coalition” is reviewing plans to possibly send troops to Ukraine. According to these plans, deployment would only occur after an agreement to end hostilities is reached, with the purpose of monitoring a ceasefire.

Johnson said, “I see no reason why we cannot send peaceful ground troops there to show our lawful and fundamental support for a free and independent Ukraine.” He stressed that Putin should not be allowed to impose his conditions on Ukraine and its allies.

However, Western military planners have avoided public discussions about the specifics of such an action, fearing that Moscow might interpret it as an escalation. In September, Putin rejected the proposal to establish a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, stating that any deployed troops would be considered a “legitimate target.”

In response to Johnson’s remarks, the UK Ministry of Defence said the government continues to work with the Volunteer Coalition to prepare for troop deployment after a ceasefire is established. The ministry emphasized in a statement that a UK-led multinational force could help secure lasting peace in Ukraine and that British forces would be stationed on-site after hostilities end.