Boris Johnson as NATO's Secretary-General?
2 Min Read
UK's outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson affirms rumors, announcing his candidacy for the position of NATO Secretary-General.
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Boris Johnson delivers his final speech as British PM outside 10 Downing Street on September 6, 2022. (AP)
Last year, a report in the Telegraph highlighted a suggestion made by various Tory politicians and Ukrainian MPs, which argues that former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson should succeed Jens Stoltenberg, who is due to step down as NATO's Secretary-General in September.
Several cited Johnson's unwavering support for Ukraine and its President Volodymyr Zelensky since the start of the war as appropriate qualifications to lead the military alliance.
This went far beyond. Today, Johnson revealed that he considers himself a candidate for NATO's top job.
When asked by the Ukrainian parliamentary television channel, RADA TV, if it was time he threw his hat into the ring, Johnson responded by hailing the "excellent idea", acknowledging that the EU argues that the next NATO boss should come from an EU country. However, he firmly stressed that he still considers himself a candidate.
Johnson stated in a separate interview with Sky News that the UK must "break the ice" by becoming the first Western country to give Ukraine fighter jets. He also warned China not to make a "historic error" by sending weaponry to Russia as the two countries get closer.
Read next: 'Deeply concerned' over Ukraine war, China vows to 'promote dialogue
