Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told GB News that if Russia gains the upper hand in the conflict, the UK may have to do more to defend Kyiv.

Mr Johnson said the decision by the US and its allies to spend billions on helping Ukraine was an “investment” against future expansionism by Russia and China – and could prevent the UK having to send ground troops.

“If Ukraine goes down, then we face an even bigger threat on our borders, the borders of the European continent wherever the democracies butt up against Russia,” he said.

“So, it’ll be the Baltic states. It’ll be in Georgia. You’ll see the impact of a Ukrainian defeat in the Pacific theatre. You’ll see it in the South China Sea.

What I’m saying is for people watching, thinking ‘why are we supporting the Ukrainians?

It’s because otherwise our collective security will be really degraded by a resurgent Russia threatening all sorts of parts of Europe, and we will then have to pay to send British troops to help defend Ukraine.” he said.