LONDON — Donald Trump and Boris Johnson discussed “the situation in Ukraine and the vital importance of Ukrainian victory” this week, according to a spokesperson for the former British prime minister.
Johnson, ousted from office last year, has been touring America to try and drum up support among top Republicans for Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s invasion.
Pro-Ukraine think tankers this week hosted the ex-British leader for a private lunch in Texas, where he told a gathering of politicians, donors and captains of industry that America must stay the course in its support for the country.
Talking to the Republican frontrunner appears to have been next on the list.
The New York Times first reported that Trump — who has faced scrutiny over whether he supports Russia or Ukraine in the conflict and has promised to resolve the war in 24 hours — was planning to host Johnson for dinner. Trump told CNN earlier this month: “I want everybody to stop dying. They’re dying. Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying,”
The meeting took place Thursday, and a spokesperson for Johnson disclosed that Ukraine talks had been on the menu.
“Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP met President Donald J Trump to discuss the situation in Ukraine and the vital importance of Ukrainian victory,” the spokesperson said.
Trump and Johnson had a complex relationship when both men were in office. The former U.S. president described Johnson as a “friend,” and once branded him “Britain Trump” — but the two appeared to have diverged politically in recent years.
Trump told GB News last month that he believed Johnson’s government had taken a “far left” tilt, hitting out at his support for wind farms and other eco policies.
“They really weren’t staying Conservative,” he said of Johnson’s ill-fated administration.
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