British Prime Minister Boris Johnson mingled with political donors – including one linked to Russia – the night before invading Ukraine, according to a new report
Johnson delivered a speech at the London Conservative Party fundraising dinner on February 23, before telling contributors he had to leave early to address the unprovoked invasion of Russia. according to The Sunday Times. Hours later, Russian troops began attacking Ukraine.
About 75 people attended the dinner, including Britain’s defense secretary and Lubov Chernukhin, the wife of a former Russian deputy finance minister, the Times reported.
Chernukhin, a British national who has condemned the war in Russia, had previously donated over £2million ($2.6million) to the party, including a £160,000 ($210,000) donation to meet with the 57-year-old prime minister to play tennis, according to the newspaper.
“The Prime Minister briefly attended this event, which was a long-standing diary engagement,” a spokesman for the newspaper said.
“Fundraising is a legitimate part of our democratic process and it is not uncommon for the Prime Minister or any political leader to attend such an event.”
https://nypost.com/2022/03/19/boris-johnson-raised-money-on-eve-of-russias-invasion-of-ukraine/ Boris Johnson raised money on the eve of the Russian invasion of Ukraine