'What the hell are we waiting for?': Boris Johnson lambasts UK's slow response to Ukraine

Former United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Boris Johnson has criticised the government's stance on Ukraine, demanding immediate provision of additional weaponry requested by Kyiv while questioning the delay, and urging western nations to take swift action.

Johnson, who formed a close bond with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the conflict with Russia, called on the UK to furnish Kyiv with essential military equipment, including howitzers, Storm Shadow cruise missiles, and robust drone technology. In an op-ed for the Spectator magazine, Johnson stressed that such support could entail only a 'relatively trivial outlay for extraordinary potential reward'.

Expressing concern over the pace of western military assistance, Johnson called for a 'far greater sense of urgency' in the program of military aid.

He posed a direct question: "What the hell are we waiting for?"

Urgency in providing weaponry

Asserting that Ukrainians require tangible assistance rather than mere words of encouragement, Johnson asserted that they need weaponry to effectively conclude the conflict. He expressed his bewilderment at the persistent delay, asking, "Why are we always so slow?" and noting that western nations had consistently underestimated Ukrainians while overestimating Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Boris Johnson's message transcended the UK and extended to the United States, as well as other western nations and global "swing voters" like India. He highlighted the consequences of inaction, warning that if Putin secures even a portion of the territory gained since February 24, 2022, it would signal a failure by democracies to confront autocracies, sending a detrimental message worldwide.

Johnson argued that the story of Ukraine could become one of valiant Ukrainian forces ultimately let down by western wavering. While no western nation has deployed troops to Ukraine, the US has provided substantial military aid exceeding $43 billion since the start of the Biden administration.

UK's commitment and efforts

The UK stands as the second-largest donor in military assistance to Ukraine, pledging £4.6 billion to date, with £2.3 billion allocated in 2022 and a matching commitment for 2023. The UK is actively engaged in a program to train 30,000 Ukrainian personnel, both new and existing, by year-end.

The nation has supplied long-range precision strike missiles and recently agreed to train Ukrainian fast jet pilots, although it has not committed to providing combat fighter aircraft at this time.

UK's newly appointed Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, affirmed his commitment to support Ukraine in countering Putin's invasion upon assuming office. The Guardian quoted a UK government spokesperson who highlighted the UK's early initiatives, including sending long-range air missiles and hosting a conference that raised over $60 billion for Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction. The spokesperson also noted the dispatch of main battle tanks to reinforce Ukrainian defences.