Boris Johnson has criticised France and Germany for their response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Boris Johnson has criticised other European nations for not responding to the invasion of Ukraine
The former UK Prime Minister claimed that the French were "in denial" about the prospect of Vladimir Putin launching an invasion and accused the German government of preferring a swift Ukrainian defeat rather than a long military conflict.
Johnson, who left Downing Street earlier this year amid unhappiness at his leadership by other Conservative MPs, told CNN: "This thing was a huge shock... we could see the Russian battalion tactical groups amassing, but different countries had very different perspectives.
"The German view was at one stage that if it were going to happen, which would be a disaster, then it would be better for the whole thing to be over quickly, and for Ukraine to fold.
"I couldn't support that, I thought that was a disastrous way of looking at it. But I can understand why they thought and felt as they did."
Johnson added: "Be in no doubt that the French were in denial right up until the last moment."
The former Prime Minister's comments were angrily dismissed by Germany as a spokesperson for Chancellor Olaf Scholz took a diplomatic jibe at Johnson.
The official said: "We know that the very entertaining former Prime Minister always has a unique relationship with the truth; this case is no exception."
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