Boris Johnson warned of the possibility of “fatigue” among Western nations due to continued support for Ukraine when he began talks at the G7 summit in Germany, where he hoped to push for renewed sanctions against Russia.
Ahead of the first day of the annual gathering of political leaders, held under extreme security measures in the Bavarian province, Johnson also welcomed a new international ban on Russian gold exports.
Speaking to reporters at the summit, Johnson, who backed Ukraine and its president, Vladimir Zelensky, one of the defining characteristics of his presidency, warned that it would be difficult to maintain a united front in the long run.
“There will be real fatigue among the population and politicians,” he warned, adding that the current almost unanimity in response to the Russian invasion could begin to disintegrate.
“I think the pressure is there and the anxiety is there, we have to be honest about that,” Johnson said.
“But the most amazing thing about the way the West responded to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine was unity – NATO was solid, the G-7 was solid, and we continue to be solid.
“But to protect this unity, to make it work, we need to have really, really honest discussions about the consequences of what is happening, the pressure that individual friends and partners are experiencing, the population – whether it depends on their energy costs or food or whatever.
Following reports that Johnson hoped to welcome Zelensky to the United Kingdom, possibly for a state visit, if possible, he confirmed the general idea.
“I think Vladimir Zelensky has done an absolutely incredible job of leading his country and leading world opinion in appalling times,” Johnson said in a summary interview with ITV News.
“If he ever becomes free to leave and it makes sense to leave Ukraine, then obviously the United Kingdom will be very honored to accept him.
“But the most important thing is to continue to be united here in the G7. And we are.
Johnson arrived at the talks from Rwanda, where he is attending a British community summit. He will then travel from Germany to Madrid to gather NATO leaders, which will also be dominated by Ukraine.
Zelensky is scheduled to attend virtually both summits, with Downing Street saying Johnson will push for steps toward new sanctions and more countries to increase defense spending at the NATO summit.
In what can be seen as an obvious omission, asked just before a bilateral meeting with Emmanuel Macron whether France and Germany are doing enough about Ukraine, Johnson mentioned only the German answer.
“I have never in my life believed that I would see a German chancellor step up the way Olaf Scholz has and send a weapon to help Ukrainians defend themselves,” he said.
“He took huge, huge strides. We have 4% of our gas coming from Russia; in Germany it is 40%. They face real, real pressure, they have to draw energy from elsewhere. But they do. They make an effort. They make the sacrifice. This is because they see that the price of freedom is worth paying.
“It’s something worth standing up for together. And this is the principle that a free, independent sovereign state like Ukraine must not be attacked by force and its borders must not be changed by force.
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Johnson, who spent nine days abroad for the three summits, amid renewed dissatisfaction with his leadership among Tory MPs in the UK, is scheduled to meet with Scholz later Sunday.
In many reported comments just before leaving Rwanda, the prime minister tried to dispel speculation that he could be replaced after two devastating losses for his party on Thursday, saying he hoped to serve a third term as prime minister and remain in office. power in the 2030s.
Ahead of the start of the G7, a joint statement from the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States and Japan said new exports of Russian gold would no longer be allowed to enter the countries.
A statement from Downing Street said Johnson would use the G-7 to get other leaders to follow suit and seek to isolate Russia from the international financial system.
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