Boris Johnson is today imploring the West to give Ukraine the weapons it needs to defeat Vladimir Putin now.
In an extraordinarily powerful – and emotional – rallying cry, the former prime minister says Kyiv can win the war this year if given the right equipment.
Mr Johnson says it may be ‘game over’ for Putin with hundreds of tanks and other weapons, but with Germany and others hesitating he asks ‘what the hell are we waiting for?’
Britain is the only country committed to sending tanks to help fight the Russians, but the 14 allocated so far won’t make a crucial difference.
Appeals by the Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Germany to release up to 2,000 Leopard 2 tanks operated by NATO countries were ignored.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy address students at Taras Shevchenko State University amid the Russian attack on Ukraine January 22, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine
Britain’s armored vehicles prepare to enter the Tapa military camp in Estonia on Thursday 19th January 2023
In a scathing attack on Berlin’s excuses and delays, Mr Johnson warned that hand-wringing would cost lives and cause economic pain everywhere.
In an apparent shot ahead of Rishi Sunak’s bow, he suggested that no British tanks should be idle in that country if they could be used to liberate Ukraine.
Writing exclusively for Mail Plus, Mr Johnson said: “What conceivable reasons could there be for a delay? Why don’t we give Ukrainians all the help they need now, when they need it?
“The sooner we can help the Ukrainians to their inevitable victory, the sooner the entire world can recover from Putin’s catastrophe. For that, the West needs to double and triple our support.
“I’m proud that Great Britain is once again winning the race. With the dispatch of 14 Challenger 2, Ben Wallace has made a mark. Now is the time for others to follow our example.
“The Ukrainians need hundreds of tanks and they should get them from the Americans, the Germans, the Poles and many others.
“Where does the western world have to station these tanks at the moment? Guard North Rhine-Westphalia? Protect Tennessee? Do you roam the villages of Wiltshire?’
Former Prime Minister Johnson claims Kyiv can win the war this year but needs help from European and American allies in the form of more weapons and military equipment
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses students at Taras Shevchenko State University amid the Russian attack on Ukraine January 22, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine
Johnson and Zelensky were spotted in Kyiv yesterday
A handout photo provided by Ukraine’s Presidential Press Service shows Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) amid former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) for a meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, January 22, 2022 welcomed the Russian invasion
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy address students in Kyiv
Mr Johnson’s call to arms follows his surprise visit to Ukraine over the weekend. He was invited by President Zelensky, who had previously praised the ex-prime minister.
Under Mr Johnson, Britain was the first country to provide Kyiv with military aid when Russian tanks rolled over its borders 11 months ago.
Mr Johnson, who also called for Ukraine’s bid to join NATO to be approved immediately, was pictured visiting Borodyanka, a town badly damaged by Russian attacks. He said it was a “privilege” to be there and show solidarity.
Writing for the Mail, he added: “Stand with me by the blackened remains of a Borodyanka apartment block, the twisted wiring and the smashed children’s toys. Check out what just one of Putin’s 500kg air bombs can do to an eight-story building.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has not yet given the green light for sending German tanks to Ukraine
“Try to meet the pleading looks of the people who pulled 162 bodies from the rubble and searched for the 28 whose remains were never found.
“Look at these brave Ukrainians and answer me this question: what the hell are we waiting for? Putin knows no restraint, no scruples. With each day that passes, more innocents are sacrificed.
“If you want to minimize the world’s economic pain, if you want to avoid the enormous cost – in blood and treasure – of this spreading tragedy, then let’s do the obvious together.” Let’s give the Ukrainians everything they need to win now.”
Mr Johnson dismissed fears that sending tanks to Ukraine could escalate the conflict and persuaded Putin and his Kremlin cronies to resort to nuclear weapons.
He said he “didn’t believe it for a second” because of the political ramifications for Russia. He said Putin would lose support from China, which props up Russia’s economy, and that ordinary Russians would turn against him.
The courage of the Ukrainians is such, according to Mr Johnson, that even a nuclear missile would not stop them from fighting.