As Boris Johnson prepares to stand down as UK prime minister — after an avalanche of resignations from his government — one man who must be enjoying the show is Vladimir Putin. Johnson has, among other things, described the Russian president as a "crocodile" for his invasion of Ukraine. The UK has been one of Kyiv's biggest supporters, sending it weapons and money and joining allies in slapping sanctions on Moscow. Key reading The chaos engulfing Johnson and his administration is red meat for the propaganda machine that blankets Russian airwaves, not just about the conflict in Ukraine but its key allies like the UK. It fits Putin's narrative about the "West" lecturing others and ignoring its own failings. The Kremlin will no doubt relish the fact that less than two weeks after the Group of Seven pledged to stand by Ukraine for the long haul, the UK is just one of its number suffering domestic turmoil. Italy's ruling coalition is in trouble and France's Emmanuel Macron is politically weakened. With Russia putting the squeeze on energy, Germany is struggling just to keep the lights on, while Joe Biden is fighting a losing battle in the US against inflation. There are real risks from such political drama, most notably in the UK. With British politicians jostling to secure a prime spot in a new government, the gaze could move off Ukraine and its ongoing needs. At a time that the US and its allies have been talking about potential price caps on Russian oil and gas and other penalties for Putin's war, it is hard to see anyone in London available to get on the phone to discuss them with authority or to speak with top Ukrainian officials. Meanwhile, the UK's own problems are piling up. There are more transport strikes looming, British airports have faced disarray, inflation is running high and poverty is spiking. If Johnson makes good on his plan to remain as caretaker premier until October, it will guarantee months of political infighting, and the drama over who will replace him leaves the UK in limbo.— Rosalind Mathieson |
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