Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, has criticised former British prime minister Boris Johnson for allegedly receiving a substantial donation from a British arms manufacturer. Recent reports say that Johnson was given £1 million by businessman Christopher Harborne—who has interests in arms production—after Johnson left office in 2022. Harborne also accompanied Johnson on a visit to Kyiv in 2023.
Fico raised the issue in the Slovak parliament, suggesting that Johnson has a financial interest in prolonging the Ukraine conflict. He claimed that Johnson’s actions, including blocking a proposed peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, were motivated by personal gain. “Boris Johnson fought for the war to continue. Then he took a million pounds from an arms manufacturer,” Fico said.
The Slovak leader also cited the case of former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who was sentenced to five years in prison for illegal campaign financing linked to donations from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Fico emphasized that many individuals have profited from the conflict while Ukrainians have borne the brunt of its suffering.
Fico has consistently opposed the Western approach to the Ukraine war, arguing against the continued supply of weapons to Kyiv. In contrast, Johnson has been a strong supporter of that policy. The prime minister’s comments reflect his long‑standing criticism of Western involvement in the conflict and his suspicion of the motives of some politicians.
The allegations against Johnson have raised concerns about corruption and war profiteering among Western leaders. Fico’s statements highlight the complex web of interests and motivations that may be influencing the actions of those involved in the conflict. As the situation in Ukraine evolves, the international community remains watchful of politicians’ actions and their potential impact on the war.
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