In an interview with German media after the G7 summit in Schloss Elmau, the prime minister cited the gender of the Russian president as a contributing factor to the conflict. Johnson told ZDF television: “If Putin were a woman, which obviously is not, if he were, I really do not think he would have started a crazy, vicious war of invasion and violence the way he is. “If you want a perfect example of toxic masculinity, it does in Ukraine.” It comes after Western leaders wrapped up a three-day G7 summit in southern Germany, pledging to raise economic and political costs for Putin and his regime in Russia’s war in Ukraine. Johnson has since traveled to Madrid for a NATO summit with Foreign Minister Liz Truce. The British military presence in Estonia will be strengthened as NATO dramatically scales its ability to respond to Russia. The leaders of the 30-member alliance will agree to work more closely together and significantly increase the number of troops on high alert. The UK already has a significant military presence in Estonia and the prime minister will use the meeting to expand his headquarters in the Baltic country. Officials said they would ensure the UK could provide rapid reinforcements if needed and develop artillery, air defense and helicopters. The alliance plans to have 300,000 troops on high alert – up from 40,000 today – and the UK will commit ground, air and sea capabilities to the “new model of power”.
