Boris Johnson Labels Putin a "Fking Idiot" During Interview, Affirms End of Russian Empire

Boris Johnson made headlines when he referred to Vladimir Putin as a "fking idiot" during an interview with an Estonian journalist on January 9. In the conversation for Eesti Ekspress, Johnson expressed his belief that Putin needs to realize that countries like Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine are no longer under Russian control, stating, "It's over, over, over, over, no more empire Vladimir." This strong condemnation of Putin's actions came in response to the unlawful invasion of Ukraine and ongoing threats towards the Baltic nations.

Reflecting on his earlier interactions with Putin, Johnson recounted a time when the Russian president allegedly issued a missile threat during a phone call, expressing that it could take "only a minute" to strike. This assertion was met with skepticism by the Kremlin, which claimed Johnson was "utterly confused." Despite the tensions, Johnson is regarded as a significant ally of Ukraine, having been the first Western leader to visit the country after the invasion. His relationships with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and support for Ukraine's defense have earned him a hero status in the nation, with some locations even being renamed in his honor shortly after the invasion began.