Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson claimed France was “in denial” about the prospect of a Russian invasion of Ukraine and accused the German government of initially favoring a quick Ukrainian military defeat in a long conflict.   

  Johnson told CNN affiliate CNN Portugal on Monday that the attitudes of Western nations differed greatly before Moscow launched its all-out invasion of Ukraine on February 24, singling out three leading EU countries in comments unlikely to go down well in European capitals.   

  While Johnson emphasized that EU nations later rallied behind Ukraine and now provide consistent support, this was not generally the case in the period before the Russian invasion.   

  “This thing was a huge shock … we could see the tactical groups of the Russian battalion coming together, but different countries had very different perspectives,” Johnson told CNN’s Richard Quest in Portugal.   

  “The German view was at one stage that if it was going to happen, which was going to be a disaster, then it would be better to get the whole thing over with quickly and to roll over Ukraine,” Johnson claimed, citing “all sorts of sound economic reasons.” for this approach.   

  “I couldn’t support it, I thought it was a disastrous way to look at it.  But I can understand why they thought and felt the way they did,” Johnson continued.  Germany quickly sought to reduce its dependence on Russian energy after Moscow’s invasion.   

  “Don’t be in any doubt that the French were in denial until the last minute,” Johnson also said.   

  French President Emmanuel Macron has countered Europe’s efforts to dissuade Vladimir Putin from invading Ukraine, visiting him in the Kremlin just weeks before the Russian leader ordered his troops into the country.  In March, the head of French military intelligence, Gen. Eric Vidaud, was asked to step down, in part because he “didn’t catch on” to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a military source with knowledge of the matter told CNN at the time.   

  Johnson also criticized Italy’s initial response to the invasion threat.  She told Quest that her government – ​​at the time led by Mario Draghi – “at one stage was just saying they couldn’t support the position we were taking”, given their “massive” dependence on Russian hydrocarbons.   

  CNN has contacted the French and German governments.  Draghi’s office declined to comment.   

  Many observers initially believed that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would be complete within weeks or days, but Kiev forces repelled Moscow’s initial push toward the capital and more recently mounted successful counterattacks to regain ground in the east and south of the country.   

  Johnson said that once Russia launched its invasion in February, attitudes across Europe changed rapidly.   

  “What happened was everybody – Germans, French, Italians, everybody, (US President) Joe Biden – saw that there was just no choice.  Why couldn’t you negotiate with this guy (Putin).  That is the key point,” the former Prime Minister said, adding that “the EU has done brilliantly” in standing up to Russia since then.   

  “After all my anxieties… I pay tribute to the way the EU has acted. They have come together.  The penalties were harsh,” Johnson continued.   

  During his tenure, Johnson frequently criticized Russia’s invasion and developed a close relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.  Johnson was forced to resign in July after repeated scandals tarnished his reputation and caused dozens of his ministers to quit.

Boris Johnson talks about his chances of becoming Prime Minister again

  Johnson told CNN that Zelensky was “absolutely outstanding” in his leadership.  “He’s a very brave guy.  I think the story of this clash would have been completely, completely different if he hadn’t gone there.”   

  He added that “if Ukraine chooses to join the EU, it should do so.  and I think it would be good for Ukraine,” helping it achieve political and economic reforms.  Kyiv applied to join the bloc earlier this year.   

  Johnson was replaced in Downing Street by Liz Truss, who had the shortest tenure of any British prime minister.  Her disastrous seven-week tenure was marred by a “mini-budget” that spooked markets and caused global financial institutions to express concern.   

  In an euphemistic review of this mini-budget, Johnson told Quest: “It’s kind of like when I play the piano.  The notes individually sound perfectly fine, but they’re not in the right order or coming at the right time.”   

  Truss has been replaced by Johnson’s chancellor turned political rival, Rishi Sunak, who visited Kyiv for the first time as prime minister on Saturday.