Boris Johnson has claimed that Vladimir Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if he was a woman and believes that the war is a “perfect example of toxic masculinity”.
In an interview with German media following the G7 summit in Schloss Elmau, the prime minister cited the Russian president’s gender as a contributory factor to the conflict.
Johnson told broadcaster ZDF: “If Putin was a woman, which he obviously isn’t, if he were, I really don’t think he would have embarked on a crazy, macho war of invasion and violence in the way that he has.
“If you want a perfect example of toxic masculinity, it’s what he is doing in Ukraine.”
It comes after western leaders ended the three-day G7 summit in southern Germany promising to increase the economic and political costs to Putin and his regime of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Johnson has since travelled to Madrid for a Nato summit along with the foreign secretary, Liz Truss.
The British military presence in Estonia will be bolstered as Nato dramatically escalates its ability to respond to Russia. Leaders from the 30-member alliance will agree to cooperate more closely and significantly increase the number of troops held at high readiness.
The UK already has a significant military presence in Estonia and the prime minister will use the meeting to expand its headquarters in the Baltic nation.
Officials said it would ensure the UK could provide rapid reinforcements if needed and deploy artillery, air defence and helicopters.
The alliance plans to have 300,000 troops at high readiness – up from the current 40,000 – and the UK will commit capabilities in land, air and sea to the “new force model”.