Newscast The Boris Johnson and Sir Tony Radakin Interview
9 snips
Feb 22, 2026 
Sir Tony Radakin, former Chief of the Defence Staff, gives military perspective on strategy and commitments. Boris Johnson, former Prime Minister, reflects on decisions around the Ukraine invasion. They discuss early reactions, supply delays, escalation risks, calls for stronger support and proposed political presences in Ukraine. Short, direct recollections and sharp debate on Western responses.
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Waking To War
- Boris Johnson got an early-morning call from the National Security Advisor notifying him the invasion had begun.
- He described immediate, calm crisis meetings including a 7am COBRA to mobilise the international response.
Early-Morning Military Response
- Tony Radakin recalled getting a 3:20am call and feeling a grim relief because the invasion was expected.
- He described rapid Ministry of Defence action that morning including a 5:30am stocktake and a 7am COBRA meeting.
Deception And Deterrence
- Boris Johnson says Vladimir Putin lied about his intentions right up to the invasion.
- Johnson argues stronger, clearer Western commitments to Ukraine's sovereignty could have deterred him.