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The Kremlin has rejected Boris Johnson’s assertion that Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to threaten the previous UK prime minister with a missile strike.
The previous Downing Road incumbent made the declare in a brand new three-part BBC Two TV collection in regards to the years main as much as the conflict in Ukraine.
Mr Johnson, speaking a few telephone name between the 2 leaders forward of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, stated: “He type of threatened me at one level and stated: ‘Boris, I do not wish to harm you however with a missile, it could solely take a minute’, or one thing like that.”
However the Kremlin disputed the declare, saying there have been “no threats with missiles” in the course of the bilateral dialog held in February 2022.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, requested about Mr Johnson’s feedback on Monday, stated that the UK politician’s account was unfaithful, “or, extra exactly, it was a lie”.
Mr Peskov stated the previous Conservative Social gathering chief could have intentionally lied or failed to grasp what the Russian chief was telling him.
“There have been no threats with missiles,” Mr Peskov stated throughout a convention name with reporters.
“Whereas speaking about safety challenges to Russia, President Putin stated that if Ukraine joins NATO, the potential deployment of US or different NATO missiles close to our borders would imply that any such missile may attain Moscow in minutes.”
Mr Johnson informed the documentary producers that the “extraordinary” dialog came about final February after he had visited Kyiv in a last-ditch try to indicate help for Ukraine amid rising fears of a Russian assault.
Warfare would escape solely days later, with Russia launching its assault on Ukraine on February 24.
Mr Johnson stated Mr Putin had a “very relaxed tone” and an “air of detachment” as he spoke.
“He was simply enjoying together with my makes an attempt to get him to barter,” Mr Johnson stated.
The previous prime minister, who left Downing Road in September after being pressured from workplace following a collection of controversies, made the go to to Kyiv in early February 2022 to warn Russia that an invasion would show disastrous.
Since leaving No 10, he has continued to foster relations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, visiting Kyiv once more earlier this month.
Downing Road stated it could not be drawn on whether or not Prime Minister Rishi Sunak considers himself protected from a Russian assault.
The present prime minister’s official spokesperson, requested if there’s a persevering with menace to the security of the UK’s management from Mr Putin, stated: “I can not get into particular threats in opposition to people, notably senior political figures.
“I feel we’re clear {that a} failure to behave in protection of Ukraine may probably pose a wider danger to the security of individuals within the UK.”
