Boris Johnson: Moscow Could Have Stopped the War and Kept Its Gains All Along

How Boris Johnson Sees the Prospects for Peace Between Ukraine and Russia

According to ХВИЛЯ: Russia's president had a chance to end the conflict at any stage while keeping the territory his forces had seized, according to Boris Johnson, the former British prime minister. He said Ukraine's leadership was willing to accept a de facto ceasefire along the current front line in return for security assurances from the West. Volodymyr Zelensky would have agreed to such an arrangement, Johnson argued, but Vladimir Putin never showed any real interest in negotiations. The comments feed into an ongoing debate among Western allies about how to end the war without rewarding Russian aggression.

Speaking on the American podcast School of War, Johnson described the policy of strengthening Ukraine as a 'steel porcupine' strategy. He said Zelensky is prepared to exchange territory for peace, but only under conditions that involve no formal recognition or handover of occupied areas to Russia and that make any future resumption of fighting impossible. In an interview in June, Zelensky acknowledged that locking in the existing front line would be the quickest way to end the war.

Ceasefire Proposals and International Backing

In early August, Kyiv put forward ceasefire ideas to Moscow that included halting strikes on aerial targets, energy infrastructure, and positions along the front. Johnson, however, said Putin has given no indication he wants to stop. The only places Russian forces have left, he noted, are ones from which Ukraine's military pushed them out.

'I have absolutely no doubt that Zelensky would have taken a deal. He would not say this openly, but in practice he would trade land for peace, provided the West guaranteed Ukraine's protection and strength. Putin, though, never came anywhere close to such a position.' Boris Johnson

The former prime minister urged Washington to enforce a 100% tariff on buyers of Russian crude as proposed in the Graham bill, and to make clear that Putin must lose. Johnson's comments highlight the difficult state of talks between Kyiv and Moscow, with the Kremlin apparently unwilling to compromise and Ukraine open to certain concessions in exchange for security guarantees. Russia, in Johnson's view, has kept up aggressive actions and has shown no desire to stop the conflict. His assessment underscores the need for sustained international support for Ukraine and for a strategy that can help bring stability to the region.

Johnson's perspective on the negotiations reflects a broader concern among Western leaders regarding Russia's intentions. In a related analysis, it is suggested that Putin's refusal to halt military actions signifies a lack of genuine interest in peace. To explore this viewpoint further, read about how Johnson believes that only external pressure could compel Putin to reconsider his stance on the conflict. Only Forced Restraint: Johnson Says Putin Will Never Stop on His Own