(MENAFN) Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was allegedly financially motivated to prolong the war in Ukraine, according to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Speaking in the Slovak parliament on Thursday, Fico referred to recent articles in the British media that linked Johnson with businessman Christopher Harborne, whose investments include the production of arms.

Harborne reportedly contributed £1 million ($1.34 million) to Johnson following his departure from office in late 2022 and accompanied him on at least one trip to Kyiv the following year.

Fico used this situation as an illustration of what he characterized as corruption and profiteering from war among Western politicians.

He connected this to Johnson’s involvement in obstructing a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine that was negotiated in Türkiye during the initial weeks of the conflict.

"Boris Johnson fought for the war to continue. Then he took a million pounds from an arms manufacturer," Fico stated.

"He didn’t want to end the war because he knew he had a friend who would give him money and in return he would help him with weapons in Ukraine."

The Slovak leader further remarked that numerous individuals have gained substantial wealth from the conflict, while the Ukrainians "were and are the main victims of this war."

MENAFN19102025000045017167ID1110216668