Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson claimed that France "denies" the possibility of Russian intervention in Ukraine.

APA reports that Boris Johnson said this in an interview with "CNN Portugal".

Johnson said that before Moscow started military intervention in Ukraine on February 24 from different directions, the attitude of the Western countries was very different.

Johnson emphasized that the EU countries later rallied behind Ukraine and now provide stable support, but said that this was not the case in the period before the Russian occupation.

"It was a big shock.

We could see Russian tactical groups gathering at the border, but different countries had very different perspectives.

The German approach at this stage was that if this was going to happen, if it was going to be a disaster, then it would be better if it was all over quickly and Ukraine bowed.

There were sound economic reasons for this approach.

I couldn't support it, I thought it was a disastrous way of looking.

But I can understand why they think that way," Johnson added.

Boris Johnson also criticized Italy's initial reaction to the threat of invasion.

He pointed out the dependence of the government led by Mario Draghi on Russian hydrocarbons, "they said at one stage that they could not support our position," he said.

The former Prime Minister of Great Britain said that as soon as Russia began its invasion in February, attitudes throughout Europe changed rapidly.

"After what happened - the Germans, the French, the Italians, everyone (US President) Joe Biden - saw that there was simply no choice.

Because you could not negotiate with this man (Putin).

This is the main point," said the former Prime Minister, emphasizing that since then the EU has done a great job in resisting Russia.

"After all my concerns, I respect the steps taken by the EU.

They are united.

Sanctions are tough," Johnson said.

Boris Johnson emphasized that he highly appreciates Ukrainian President Zelensky's leadership to the country and his leadership at this difficult time: "He is a very brave guy.

I think that if he had not been there, the history and results of this conflict would have been completely different."

Boris Johnson also touched on the issue of Ukraine's accession to the EU.

"If Ukraine chooses to join the EU, it should go for it.

I think it will be a good thing for Ukraine.

This will help the country achieve political and economic reforms."