British Prime Minister (2019-2022) Boris Johnson is convinced that Europe and the West are not doing enough to ensure Ukraine's complete victory, and that abandoning the United States is not yet possible.

He stated this at a YES meeting organized by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation on February 24, 2026.

“Wake up. Face the reality. The United States provides 70% of NATO s budget, 95% of its strategic heavy-lift transport capacity. Even if we assume that the French nuclear deterrent actually works, the United States still effectively provides 100% of Europe s nuclear deterrent. Therefore, technologically, we are dependent on the United States. We are very far from a situation where we could simply abandon the United States and act independently. We cannot impose such a vision on Ukraine – it is an illusion, a trap, and self-deception,” Johnson said.

At the same time, he called for increased military aid to Ukraine, stronger sanctions, and a more assertive stance, including considering the possibility of deploying a European military contingent to Ukraine without engaging in military action, in order to demonstrate to Putin the West's unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and its future in the Western alliance.

Johnson noted that the West "lacks a sense of urgency."

"There's too much complacency in Europe about this war. The fact that Ukrainian generals and their incredible military have been fighting this war for four years has created a certain apathy," the former prime minister added.

He emphasized that "Europe and the West must realize: the war won't end until we step up our support."