Ben Wallace said Vladimir Putin is a “madman” with “little man syndrome”, as he has accused himself of trying to change history through “violence and invasion”.
The defense minister doubled over Boris Johnson’s remarks on Tuesday when the prime minister described the Russian president as an example of “toxic masculinity” and suggested he would not have invaded Ukraine if he were a woman.
“If Putin was a woman, which of course he is not … I really do not think he would have embarked on a mad macho war, an invasion of violence, in that way,” he said. Johnson said.
“If you want a perfect example of toxic masculinity, this is what he does in Ukraine.”
Asked about the comments on LBC Radio on Wednesday, Mr. Wallace said: “I definitely think Putin’s view of himself and the world is a petty syndrome, macho view.
“You rarely hear the phrase little woman syndrome. You always hear grandpa syndrome and he has it in kick.
“I think the real challenge here is the Russian system’s view that some states are somehow inferior to others and do not count their rights.
“If they want to paint themselves in a new history, they seem to think the way to do it is through violence and invasion, and I think that’s something I’m worried about.”
Vladimir Putin guilty of ‘horrific’ acts
On Wednesday evening, Mr. Johnson went further in an interview, after being asked if he thought Putin was “evil”.
“I think it probably follows that if you are what you do, then definitely,” he said.
“It was a horrible act of unjustified aggression against the innocent population.”
At the G7 summit on Monday, Mr. Johnson joked with Justin Trudeau that the couple should take off their jackets to mimic a photo opportunity where the Russian leader poses topless on horseback.
“We’re going to get the bare-chested equestrian show,” Mr Trudeau said.
Mr Johnson replied: “There you go! We have to show them our images. ”