Johnson's Response to Skripal Poisoning

The poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury marked a pivotal moment in UK-Russia relations, leading to a significant shift in the UK's foreign policy stance. The UK government attributed the attack to Russia, prompting then-Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to adopt a more confrontational approach towards the Kremlin. Initially, Johnson had favored a less aggressive stance, but the incident catalyzed a reevaluation of this position. In a notable statement, he drew a parallel between Vladimir Putin's hosting of the World Cup in Russia and Adolf Hitler's hosting of the Olympic Games in Berlin, suggesting that both events were used to distract from serious issues of state conduct. This comparison was met with strong condemnation from Russia's Foreign Ministry, which labeled Johnson's remarks as 'unacceptable and unworthy', emphasizing the sacrifices made by the Russian people during World War II.