Boris Johnson, one of Britain’s most vocal supporters of Donald Trump, has expressed his frustration following the breakdown of ceasefire discussions between the U.S. President and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
The former British Prime Minister criticized Putin’s refusal to agree to Trump’s proposed truce in Ukraine, stating that the Russian president is “laughing at us.”
“What a surprise – Putin rejects an unconditional ceasefire. He wants to keep bombing and killing innocent Ukrainians. He wants Ukraine disarmed. He wants Ukraine neutralized. He wants to make Ukraine a vassal state of Russia. He isn’t negotiating. He’s laughing at us.”
Boris Johnson
Johnson, who played a pivotal role in rallying European support for Ukraine during his tenure, condemned Putin’s actions, asserting that the Kremlin has no real interest in peace. The former prime minister shared his disapproval on the social media platform X, underscoring his disappointment over Trump’s inability to sway the Russian leader.
This reaction contrasted with Johnson’s earlier optimism about Trump’s diplomatic prowess. On March 14, he confidently predicted that Trump would “hit Putin with every shot in his locker” and ensure the Russian leader backed down. However, the talks did not result in the breakthrough Johnson and other supporters had anticipated.
Critics of Trump’s handling of the negotiations argue that his discussion with Putin achieved little in terms of tangible progress. Analysts have noted that Putin’s offer to halt Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, a gesture praised by some Trump allies, actually benefits Russia. Ukrainian drone attacks have successfully targeted Russian oil refineries, making a ceasefire on energy-related attacks more advantageous for Moscow than Kyiv.
Additionally, Putin’s suggestion of a U.S.-Russia ice hockey match, a nod to Russia’s national sport, has been seen as an attempt to normalize Russia’s image on the world stage, similar to sports diplomacy strategies employed by other authoritarian regimes.
Kremlin Celebrates, Europe Reacts
Meanwhile, Russian state-controlled media has painted the Trump-Putin talks as a victory for Moscow. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev took to X, boasting that the conversation reinforced the notion that global affairs are dominated by the U.S. and Russia.
“The phone call between President Putin and Trump proved there is only Russia and America in the dining room. On the menu: light appetizers – Brussels sprouts, British fish and chips, and Paris rooster. The main course is a Kiev-style cutlet. Enjoy your meal!”
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
On March 18, Trump and Putin engaged in an extensive phone call, during which they agreed to a temporary pause in attacks on energy facilities in Ukraine. However, Putin refrained from committing to the broader 30-day ceasefire the U.S. administration has been pushing for.
The White House described the dialogue as a preliminary step in a “movement to peace,” expressing hopes for a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and, eventually, an enduring resolution to the conflict. However, there has been no indication that Putin is willing to compromise on his long-standing demands, which remain a major sticking point for Kyiv and its allies.
Moments after the Trump-Putin call concluded, air raid sirens blared across Kyiv, followed by reports of explosions. Local authorities urged residents to seek shelter, underscoring the ongoing threat despite diplomatic efforts.
Putin reiterated his position that any peace deal must include an end to foreign military and intelligence support for Ukraine. However, in an interview later that day, Trump denied that this issue was even discussed. “We didn’t talk about aid,” Trump insisted. “We didn’t talk about aid at all.”
Moscow has also maintained that Ukraine must withdraw troops from four regions annexed by Russia, renounce its aspirations to join NATO, and significantly reduce its military capacity. With these stringent conditions still in place, meaningful progress toward peace remains elusive.
READ ALSO: Call For Maintaining Professionalism and Continuity in Security Leadership
