Boris Johnson: Pressure on Putin is the price of peace

Summary of Boris Johnson: Pressure on Putin is the price of peace

by Financial Times

24m•February 26, 2026
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Overview of Boris Johnson: Pressure on Putin is the price of peace

This episode of the Rachman Review is Gideon Rachman’s on-stage interview with former UK prime minister Boris Johnson at the Yalta European Strategy “YES” conference in Kyiv on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s 2022 full‑scale invasion of Ukraine. Johnson argues the West must substantially increase pressure on Vladimir Putin—militarily, economically and politically—if it wants a decisive end to the war in Ukraine. He rejects the premise that conceding land will secure a lasting peace, urges stronger transatlantic unity, proposes using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine, and advocates symbolic European deployments (non‑fighting) to signal long‑term Western commitment.

Key points and main takeaways

  • Johnson: Putin shows no sign of wanting genuine peace; he would simply pocket concessions and press on. Therefore negotiations that rest on Ukrainian concessions are unlikely to succeed.
  • The West is currently applying only “about a tenth” of the pressure needed to force Putin to negotiate.
  • Europe cannot realistically replace U.S. military, logistical and technological support; the transatlantic alliance must be kept intact.
  • Practical measures the West should pursue now:
    • Dramatically increase weapons, munitions and specialist systems (e.g., Tomahawks; question why Taurus missiles are withheld).
    • Harden sanctions and stop European purchases of Russian hydrocarbons (about 12% of EU oil & gas still comes from Russia).
    • Unlock and deploy frozen Russian assets (Johnson cites ~$15bn in the UK; France ~€10bn; EU ~€210bn) to fund Ukraine and reparation mechanisms.
    • Use EU treaty mechanisms (Article 122) and majority voting to circumvent vetoes (e.g., Hungary) on using funds.
    • Send a limited, non‑combat European force (or British support) — partly symbolic — to help secure infrastructure such as Lviv airport and demonstrate commitment to Ukraine’s Western orientation.
    • Stop preemptive concessions like taking NATO membership off the table; showing commitment to Ukraine’s long‑term Western destiny matters strategically.
  • Johnson is optimistic Ukraine will prevail, but warns of a long, bloody slog unless Western support increases substantially and quickly.

Topics discussed

  • The failure prospects of current U.S.-led negotiations that press Ukraine to cede territory.
  • Putin’s incentives: domestic strength despite economic damage; therefore no real reason for him to compromise.
  • Relations with the U.S.: importance of avoiding “Trump derangement” that risks pushing the U.S. out of the alliance narrative; maintain U.S. involvement despite political differences.
  • European capability and limitations: increases in German defence spending are welcome, but Europe remains materially dependent on U.S. airlift, tech and nuclear deterrence.
  • Sanctions, energy dependence and the moral/economic problem of continued Russian hydrocarbon purchases.
  • Frozen assets in London, Paris and EU institutions; how to convert those into support for Ukraine (including the “reparations loan” idea).
  • The political blockage from Hungary and Viktor Orbán; suggesting the EU should apply collective pressure.
  • Symbolic value of deploying European non‑fighting forces to Ukrainian soil to demonstrate resolve.
  • Johnson’s personal recollections of early days of the invasion (Zelensky refusing exile) and his firm support for Ukraine since.

Notable quotes and insights

  • “We’re exerting about a tenth of the pressure that we need to put on Putin to get him seriously to negotiate.”
  • “Where is the evidence that Russia will even accept that capitulation? … Putin will simply pocket the concession and move on.”
  • “Don’t retreat in advance of Putin. Don’t endlessly concede ground to him.”
  • On European deployments: placing “boots on the ground… even if they’re not… warfighting capacity,” is mainly a strategic signal to Putin that Ukraine is part of the Western security architecture.
  • Johnson rejects excessive fear of escalation: “Every time we go harder and go bigger, it's Ukraine that benefits and Putin that loses.”

Recommendations / Action items Johnson advocates

  • Immediate ramp‑up of military supplies (munitions, long‑range systems, sensors and U.S. tech dependency).
  • Transfer frozen Russian assets into mechanisms to fund Ukraine and reparations:
    • UK to unfreeze ~US$15bn and give to Ukraine.
    • Move EU accounts (Euroclear) out of Belgium to an EU‑level vehicle to reduce vulnerability to pressure and use Article 122 for majority action.
  • End or sharply reduce European purchases of Russian hydrocarbons.
  • Pressure Hungary and other holdouts within the EU; use conditionality and political pressure.
  • Reaffirm Ukraine’s right to choose NATO and EU membership — do not preemptively remove those options.
  • Deploy a small, non‑combat European contingent (e.g., to secure Lviv airport) as a political signal.
  • Avoid writing off U.S. involvement; keep the transatlantic alliance central.

Risks, political obstacles and counterarguments acknowledged

  • Political obstacles: Hungary’s veto and domestic politics across EU states; friction with the U.S. depending on administrations.
  • Escalation concerns: critics worry about provoking Russia; Johnson argues practical evidence shows escalation risk is overstated and more support helps Ukraine.
  • Practical limits: Europe’s defence-industrial limits and dependence on U.S. logistics and technology mean independent European victory is unlikely in short term.
  • Domestic UK political context: Johnson noted he left office before some asset‑unfreeze proposals were fully formed and defended his past actions.

Bottom line

Boris Johnson’s central argument: the West must stop withdrawing in advance and substantially increase pressure—military, economic and political—on Russia to create a credible pathway to a negotiated peace that secures Ukraine’s Western future. Measures he prioritises are unlocking frozen Russian assets, escalating weapons and munitions supplies, stopping Russian energy purchases, pressuring EU holdouts, and signaling commitment through limited European deployments. Without much stronger, unified action, Johnson warns the war will continue for years with far more bloodshed.