Kremlin lashes out at Boris Johnson claiming he is most ‘anti-Russian’ leader

Kremlin anger at Boris Johnson was laid bare today as it branded him the most active “anti-Russian” leader in his response to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Prime Minister has played a leading role in pushing for tougher sanctions against Mr Putin’s regime and Britain has supported the Ukrainian resistance with a military package of thousands of missiles including anti-tank weapons.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “As for Mr Johnson, we see him as the most active participant in the race to be anti-Russian,” according to the RIA news agency.

“It will lead to a foreign policy dead end,” he is said to have added.

Mr Johnson has led condemnation of Mr Putin’s “barbaric” war, accusing him of crossing “the red line” and of war crimes.

However, he has also stressed that the conflict is between Mr Putin’s regime - not the Russian people - and Ukraine.

Downing Street denied Mr Johnson was anti-Russian, stressing though that he was a leading critic of the Putin regime.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister is among the most active anti-Putin leaders.

“We have no issue with the Russian people.

“In fact, we have seen many bravely protest, not least Alexei Navalny, against Putin’s regime and call on them to cease this war.”

He added: “We are among some of the world leaders that have been most pro-active when it comes to taking steps to both defend Ukraine’s interests and up the pressure on Putin to change course.”

A tri-lingual video, in which the Prime Minister appealed for an end to the conflict, has been seen by millions of people around the world including in Ukraine and Russia.

In it, he says: “To the people of Ukraine: Slava Ukraini.

“To the people of Russia: I do not believe this war is in your name.”

He stressed that the war “can and must come to an end,” adding that the world “needs a free and sovereign Ukraine”.

Speaking privately to Nato leaders on Thursday at a summit in Brussels, Mr Johnson said: “We all want Putin to come to his senses - to put his tanks into reverse.

“Sadly, it looks like he is going to grind on.”

The Russian President appeared only to have “forward gears,” he added.