Boris Johnson Criticizes Donald Trump Over Failed Talks with Vladimir Putin: ‘Putin is Laughing at Us’

In a sharp turn of events, Boris Johnson, the former British prime minister, has strongly criticized Donald Trump’s failure to negotiate a ceasefire in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Johnson, who had previously been one of the most prominent supporters of Trump, expressed his outrage on social media after the U.S. president’s talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin ended without any significant progress.

In his post, Johnson accused Putin of mocking the international community and said that the Russian leader's refusal to consider a ceasefire indicated his determination to continue his aggressive military actions against Ukraine.

This criticism is particularly striking given Johnson’s earlier remarks just a few days before. On March 14, Johnson had expressed confidence that Trump, with his experience and negotiation skills, would force Putin to make concessions and end the violence in Ukraine.

At the time, Johnson said, “I trust and believe Trump will hit Putin with every shot in his locker – he can’t let the world think he’s lost to a cowardly mass murderer.” Johnson’s optimism, however, quickly turned to disillusionment after Putin rejected Trump’s proposal for an unconditional ceasefire, which had been one of the central points of the talks.

In his statement posted on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) on Tuesday evening, Johnson condemned Putin for his refusal to negotiate in good faith. He accused the Russian president of using the ceasefire offer as a pretext to continue his military aggression.

Johnson wrote, “What a surprise – Putin rejects an unconditional ceasefire. He wants to keep bombing and killing innocent Ukrainians. He wants Ukraine disarmed. He wants Ukraine neutralized. He wants to make Ukraine a vassal state of Russia. He isn’t negotiating. He’s laughing at us.”

This remark was a stark contrast to Johnson’s earlier stance, where he had expressed strong belief in Trump’s ability to stand firm against Putin and compel him to de-escalate the situation. Johnson’s frustration was shared by many other critics, who pointed out that Trump’s discussions with Putin had yielded little to no concrete outcomes.

While Trump’s allies touted the potential benefits of some of the proposals, such as halting Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, critics dismissed these ideas as largely symbolic and beneficial to Russia’s strategic objectives rather than offering genuine progress toward peace.

One particular suggestion made during the talks, which had been heavily promoted by Trump supporters, was Putin’s proposal to end Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Critics pointed out that this offer would have been more advantageous to Russia than to Ukraine.

This was because Ukraine’s highly effective drone strikes had caused significant damage to Russian oil refineries, undermining the strategic value of such a proposal. As a result, critics argued that Putin’s offer was more about creating a false image of diplomacy than bringing any meaningful relief to Ukraine.

Another controversial proposal made during the talks was Putin’s suggestion of a U.S. versus Russia ice hockey match, which many saw as a bizarre attempt to improve Russia’s international image. Critics argued that Putin was using the event to “detoxify” Russia’s image on the global stage, much like other autocratic regimes have tried to do by using sports events to project a more positive narrative.

The idea was widely ridiculed, with many viewing it as an example of Putin’s manipulative tactics rather than a genuine effort to resolve the conflict.

Johnson’s criticism of Trump’s handling of the talks also echoes the sentiments of other commentators, particularly those who had previously been Trump supporters. Many expressed dismay at how little progress had been made in the talks, and some even went so far as to claim that Trump had been humiliated by Putin.

This sentiment was amplified by the response from Russia’s state-controlled media, which celebrated Putin’s apparent success in the talks. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, a staunch ally of Putin, took to social media to mock the West, particularly the European Union, Britain, and France. Medvedev said, “The phone call between Presidents Putin and Trump proved there is only Russia and America in the dining room.”

Medvedev’s comment was intended as a taunt at the European powers, whom he described as insignificant in the geopolitical discussions between Russia and the U.S. He further mocked them by saying, “On the menu: light appetizers – Brussels sprouts, British fish and chips, and Paris rooster.

The main course is a Kiev-style cutlet. Enjoy your meal!” This derisive comment from Medvedev exemplifies the growing sense of triumph in Moscow as it sees its influence over global negotiations increasing, while Western nations, including the U.S. under Trump’s leadership, seem to be sidelined in the process.

This entire episode raises important questions about the effectiveness of Trump’s foreign policy and his ability to handle complex international negotiations. While Trump had previously made bold claims about his ability to manage relations with Putin and end the war in Ukraine, the outcome of his talks suggests that his approach has not had the desired effect.

The failure of the Trump-Putin discussions underscores the difficulty of dealing with an unpredictable and aggressive leader like Putin, who seems uninterested in genuine diplomacy or negotiations.

For Johnson, this turn of events is deeply disappointing, as he had previously placed a great deal of trust in Trump’s ability to secure peace for Ukraine. As someone who had been a vocal supporter of Ukraine during his tenure as prime minister, Johnson had hoped that Trump’s involvement would lead to a breakthrough in the conflict.

However, the reality of the situation now appears much bleaker, with Putin’s rejection of the ceasefire proposal serving as a clear indication that the Russian leader has no intention of backing down.

In conclusion, the failed Trump-Putin talks have led to a dramatic shift in Boris Johnson’s view of the U.S. president, as he now openly criticizes Trump’s inability to bring about meaningful progress in the war. Johnson’s frustration is shared by many other former Trump allies, and the situation highlights the challenges the international community faces in dealing with Putin’s Russia.

With the conflict in Ukraine still ongoing and no clear resolution in sight, the world is left wondering whether Trump’s approach to diplomacy has truly failed or if there is still a chance for peace through further negotiations.