Did Boris Johnson Persuade Volodymyr Zelenskyy Not To Sign A Peace Deal With Russia In 2022? You Decide

The claim that Boris Johnson “talked Volodymyr Zelenskyy out of a peace deal” with Russia in 2022 is based on various reports, but it remains debated. Although given this clip it is hard to understand why.

Sergey Lavrov confirms that British War Monger and serial liar Boris Johston prevented Ukraine from signing a comprehensive Peace deal in Istanbul. That was 3 years ago.

Since then, a million have died, needlessly.

Who do you believe, Lavrov? Or Boris Johnston? pic.twitter.com/byXmGT6agm

— Chay Bowes (@BowesChay) February 24, 2025

Here’s a summary of the key evidence and counterpoints:

Sources Supporting the Claim

1. Ukrainska Pravda Report (May 2022)
   • A widely cited report from Ukrainska Pravda claimed that in April 2022, then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Kyiv and discouraged Zelenskyy from engaging in peace talks with Russia.
   • The report suggested that Johnson conveyed two key messages:
     • Putin should not be negotiated with.
     • The West would not support an agreement between Ukraine and Russia that involved concessions.
   • According to the article, Johnson’s stance allegedly influenced Ukraine’s decision to halt negotiations that had been taking place in Istanbul.
2. Statements from Russian Officials
   • Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other Kremlin figures have echoed the idea that Western leaders (including Johnson) pressured Ukraine to abandon negotiations.
   • Russia claims a draft peace agreement was nearly reached, but Western intervention prevented its finalisation.
3. Former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett’s Remarks (February 2023)
   • In an interview, Bennett, who was involved in early mediation efforts, stated that negotiations were progressing but suggested Western powers, including the U.S. and U.K., discouraged Ukraine from settling.
4. David Arakhamia’s Statement (November 2023)
   • In November 2023, David Arakhamia, a member of Zelenskyy’s own negotiating team in Istanbul, appeared to lend the idea credence.
   • “When we returned from Istanbul, Boris Johnson came to Kyiv and said that we would not sign anything with them at all, and let’s just fight,” he said in a November 2023 interview.
   • This statement suggests that Johnson played a direct role in shaping Ukraine’s decision to continue fighting rather than negotiate.

Counterarguments & Skepticism

1. Ukraine’s Position
   • Ukrainian officials have generally denied that Johnson or other Western leaders forced them to abandon peace talks.
   • They argue that negotiations collapsed because Russia continued aggressive military actions, including atrocities like those in Bucha, which made a settlement politically unfeasible.
2. Johnson’s Own Statements
   • Johnson has publicly taken a strong stance against negotiating with Putin, calling any agreement unreliable. However, he has not admitted to directly blocking a deal.
3. Lack of Verifiable Diplomatic Documents
   • There is no confirmed written agreement from the Istanbul talks that proves Ukraine and Russia were close to a deal.

Conclusion

While Ukrainska Pravda’s report, Naftali Bennett’s comments, and David Arakhamia’s 2023 statement suggest Johnson played a role in discouraging negotiations, the extent of his influence remains uncertain. It is also possible that Ukraine had already decided against a deal due to Russia’s actions, and Johnson’s visit merely reinforced that stance.

What and who do you believe?