Boris Johnson was able to regain his political career after being completely destroyed by the Partygate scandal and the response he gave to the war in Ukraine. However, his populist language has once again spoilt everything. He only got into trouble with some unintentional comments that compared the Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion to Brexit. During the Conservative Party’s spring conference, he stated that he knew that the instinct of British citizens, just like the Ukrainian people, is to choose freedom. “When the British voted overwhelmingly for Brexit, I don’t think it was even remotely out of hostility towards foreigners. It was because they wanted to be free to do things differently and to be able to control their own country,” he added.
Johnson is a shining example of euroscepticism and has always remembered the European divorce at multiple times. The fact that Johnson was forced to make a comparison between the EU leaving and the worst European conflict since World War II caused great anger. Even more so when the Ukrainian president, Volodímir Zelenski, has requested the integration of his country into the community club.
Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine’s ambassador in the UK, was among those present in the auditorium. He didn’t know where he should stand in front of a statement that drew a lot of criticism not only from within his ranks but also international. “Comparing the struggle of the Ukrainian people against the tyranny of Vladimir Putin with the Brexit referendum damages the level of high state politics that we were beginning to show. If we want to defeat Putin, we need international leadership and unity”, reproached Prime Minister Tobias Ellwood, Conservative MP and chairman of the House of Commons Defense Committee.
Ed Davey of the Liberal Democrats said that Johnson is a “national shame” and that “comparing a vote with women and children fleeing Putin’s bombardments is insulting to all Ukrainians.” Ian Blackford, leader of the Scottish Nationalist Party, said that Johnson’s remarks “comparing Ukraine’s life and death situation with Brextil is bad taste” and showed how obsessed the Tories with Brexit.
These regrettable comments were made on Thursday, the day before NATO’s extraordinary summit and an EU Council dedicated to the Ukraine crisis. Johnson originally plans to go on the first date. However, there are already voices who are questioning the invitation. “Negligible. “Any ideas about inviting him to the meeting should immediately be put in a drawer,” wrote the ex-prime minister of Sweden on Twitter. Carl Bildt.