BORIS Johnson caused chaos on Good Morning Britain after suddenly walking out of his live interview.
The ex-PM, 60, was speaking to hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley live from Kyiv to mark three years since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Good Morning Britain viewers were stunned when Boris Johnson left his interview live from Ukraine[/caption]
Johnson attends a session at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on February 12[/caption]
Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid on ‘Good Morning Britain’ today[/caption]
It comes as world leaders are gathering today in an effort to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Susanna admitted she was shocked to see Johnson in the war zone, telling him: “This is a bit of surprise that you’ve turned up in Kyiv.
“It’s a big day, of course, because world leaders are having this call about what to do about Ukraine. What do you think should happen?”
Johnson rubbished claims Ukraine are to blame for the war after US President Donald Trump accused leader Volodymyr Zelensky of “talking the US into spending $350m on aid”.
Instead, the former Tory leader said he believes the minerals agreement between the US and Ukraine is close to being signed.
“That commits the US not only to future financing of Ukraine but also to a free, sovereign and secure Ukraine under Donald Trump,” he said, adding: “That is not to be sneezed at, it’s a very important commitment…”
Johnson then dramatically announced he was ending the interview.
“Anyways, I’ve got to love you and leave you,” he muttered while wrestling with his ear piece.
However, keen to carry on the conversation, Madeley interjected: “As a former prime minister, how do you deal with an American president who says that black is white. How do you talk to him?”
Clearly in a hurry, Johnson responded: “You have to keep knocking the ball back over the net.”
He then walked out of shot as Reid said: “Thank you very much indeed for your time this morning. Just disentangling himself from our microphone and off he goes.”
She went on to announce: “Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson tells this programme there is a deal to be done over Ukraine, and now is the time for the UK to step up in negotiations with the US.”
Madeley added: “He was speaking here live just a few minutes ago, predicting that there will be a deal in the next couple of days between America and Ukraine over mineral rights, which effectively, he says, will put America back with skin in the game. Big Game changer.
“Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, of course, has said that he’ll step down from his job if it guarantees peace, so a lot happening today.”
Zelenksy made the announcement yesterday, emphasising he would quit in exchange for peace or Nato membership.
It comes as Trump and warmongering Russian President Vladimir Putin hold peace talks without Kyiv at the table.
The Ukrainian president said on Sunday: “If it’s about peace in Ukraine and you really want me to leave my position, I am ready to do that [in exchange for peace].
“Secondly I can exchange it for Nato [membership].
“If there is such an opportunity I’ll do it immediately without a long conversation about it.”
He emphasised that Ukraine’s security was his priority, not staying in office, adding that it was not his “dream” to remain president for a decade.
Zelensky’s remarks came after Trump branded him a “dictator” for not holding an election during the war.
Elections in Ukraine have been banned under martial law amid Putin’s ongoing illegal invasion.
But reports have emerged that Ukraine may be forced to hold elections before any final peace agreement with Russia is reached, according to The Telegraph.
Trump, who has repeatedly boasted he could end the war within “24 hours,” said the demand for elections “came from me” and appeared to blame Ukraine for not reaching a deal sooner.
“You’ve been there for three years… You should have never started it. You could have made a deal,” he said.
Kyiv and Europe were last week iced out of the beginning of peace talks between the US and Russia – which sparked diplomatic turmoil between Ukraine and Washington.
After lashing out at Zelensky, Trump later insisted he “trusts” that Russia wants peace before again calling Zelensky a “dictator”.
At a press conference today, Zelensky said he wasn’t offended by Trump’s jibe.
He said: “I wasn’t offended, but a dictator would be. I’m not. I’m the legally election president.”
Zelensky also said he wants to see Trump as a partner to Ukraine and more than a simply a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow.
“I want very much from Trump understanding of each other,” he added.
The Ukrainian president said an “important meeting” of world leaders would take place on Monday, the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
He hinted that major decisions could emerge from the summit, which will include 13 nations attending in person and 24 joining online.
“Tomorrow’s summit is crucial. It might even be a turning point—we’ll see,” he said.
