Boris Johnson has told Emmanuel Macron that a peace deal with Russia would cause “lasting instability” and give Vladimir Putin a license to manipulate the world.
The two leaders met on Sunday at the G7 summit in Germany, after days of criticism of the French president and his perceived desire to end the conflict in Ukraine soon.
A Downing Street spokesman said the two leaders had agreed that more support was needed for Ukraine from Western leaders, but that Johnson had warned Macron not to reach a negotiated deal.
Johnson and Liz Truss, the secretary of foreign affairs, believe that any agreement reached now would involve the cession of Ukrainian territory to Mr. Putin.
“President Macron praised the constant military support of the Prime Minister in Ukraine and the leaders agreed to intensify this work,” a Downing Street spokesman said.
“The prime minister stressed that any attempt to resolve the conflict now will only lead to lasting instability and give Putin a license to manipulate both sovereign countries and international markets in perpetuity.
“The leaders agreed to continue and improve the close work between the UK and France in areas such as defense and security.”
Macron has been accused of offering too little support to Ukraine and criticized for maintaining an open dialogue with Putin during the conflict.
The French president has boasted of having spent 100 hours on the phone with the Russian president. The Elysee has denied that France hopes to reduce support for Ukraine or negotiate a deal with Russia.
In statements before the meeting, Johnson praised Germany, but did not mention France, as he warned of the “fatigue of the people and politicians.”
When asked what he thought of the French and German responses to the war in recent weeks, Johnson offered effusive support to Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor.
“I never believed in my life that I would see a German chancellor advancing in the same way as Olaf Scholz and sending weapons to help Ukrainians protect themselves,” he said.
“It has made great strides. We have 4 percent of our gas coming from Russia, in Germany, it’s 40 percent.
“They’re facing real, real pressures, they have to get energy from other places. But they’re doing it. They’re making the effort. They’re making the sacrifice.”