Speaking to Jake Tapper on CNN’s State of the Union hours after Russian missiles struck Kyiv, shattering relative calm in the Ukrainian capital, Johnson urged Americans, Britons and others in the West to remain determined to punish Moscow, despite the effect the war affected world prices. of oil.
“I would just tell people in the United States that this is something that America has historically done and should do, and that is to strengthen for peace, freedom and democracy,” Johnson said. “And if we let Putin get away and just annex, take over significant parts of a free, independent, sovereign country, which he is ready to do … then the consequences for the world are absolutely catastrophic.
Johnson joins other G7 leaders in the Bavarian Alps this week for talks focused on the conflict in Ukraine, which has turned into sad exhaustion as it enters its fifth month.
Leaders are expected to discuss new methods of punishing Moscow, including a ban on new imports of gold from Russia, announced by US President Joe Biden on Sunday. But over the summit hangs whether the West can maintain its determination to punish Putin amid soaring energy prices – and the political reaction the jump has provoked for leaders at home.
Johnson, who has traveled to Kyiv twice to meet with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, said allowing Russia to succeed in its invasion would set a dangerous precedent.
“You see the consequences, the lessons that will be learned,” he said. “This is ultimately detrimental, not only to democracy and the independence of the countries, but also to economic stability.
The cost to Western nations of defending Ukraine – including billions of dollars in security aid provided by the United States – is “a price worth paying for democracy and freedom,” Johnson said.
The G7 summit provided a kind of refuge for Johnson, who is facing serious political difficulties at home in the United Kingdom. The aftermath of the Partygate scandal – in which events against Covid’s blockade took place on Downing Street – continues to reverberate, and questions about Johnson’s leadership have only intensified, even as he says he is interested in running for a third term.
Just last week, Johnson suffered a blow to his authority after his Conservative Party lost two parliamentary by-elections overnight. So far, however, the prime minister has resisted calls for a change in his political approach and recently said he would not undergo a “psychological transformation”.
In Germany, Johnson tried to portray his problems as a sign that democracy was working when Tapper asked him about the cascade of criticism.
“I think the great thing about democracy is that leaders are in control. And I have, you say, that things go back home – that’s a good thing. I have people in my case, I make people make arguments, “he said.
And he uses Putin, who exists in a largely trouble-free political environment, as an example of how leaders in anti-democratic systems can control power.
“Do you really think that Vladimir Putin would invade another sovereign state if there were people to listen, to argue properly, if there was a commission of traffic jams?” Johnson asked.
As for American democracy, Johnson was also in the mood – despite the violent attempt to overthrow him on January 6, 2021. He refused to shift the blame on former President Donald Trump, with whom he had a close relationship: “You will take the fifth on this question, “he said, adding:” In principle, we should not talk about the other’s domestic policy. That’s for the people of the United States. “
Scenes of violent chaos in the US Capitol shocked Americans and the world that day. But Johnson insisted the violation did not lead to the death of American democracy.
“I think the news of the death of democracy in the United States is greatly, greatly exaggerated. America is a brilliant city on a hill for me and will continue to be so, “he said, citing Biden’s efforts to unite the West as evidence of a still functioning system.
“I think the very fact that Joe Biden has stepped up the way he did it shows that America’s instincts are still very much in the right place,” he said.
However, Johnson acknowledged that the violent uprising in the Capitol has alarmed observers abroad.
“There were some weird and rather unattractive scenes,” he said.
“Strange?” Tapper asked. “People died.”
“I mean, looking outside, it was pretty weird,” Johnson said. “But I do not believe that American democracy is under serious threat. Far from it. I continue to believe that America is the greatest global guarantor of democracy and freedom.”
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