This is John Batchel, a conversation with my colleague, Anatole Levin of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft,

about a remark made by Boris Johnson, former Prime Minister of Great Britain, now touring on a book deal,

saying that if the U.S. backs away or drops or does not continue support of Ukraine,

then it will be necessary for NATO to step in and send troops into Ukraine.

And it will comments.

He does not think much of this idea, but he comments about what that means what it might mean for great

Britain and for Ukraine and atoll even on Boris Johnson's remarks more of this later I don't think

so um you know European public opinion is overwhelmingly against sending troops to Ukraine, including British

public opinion. And in any case, what troops? Britain has precisely one brigade, one brigade of deployable

troops that it can send to Ukraine. Now, of course, after a year or so, a little bit like in the Second World War,

Britain would have more. But, you know, the question is what would have happened in that year.

And, you know, the Russians have made absolutely clear that, you know, if NATO troops are sent

into action in Ukraine, then there will be escalation

towards nuclear war. No, I mean, Johnson is a, well, I hesitate to say this because, you know,

we used to think that Trump was a has-been and finished.

But, well, Johnson certainly looks like a hopeless has-been at the moment.

I hope he remains so.