Boris Johnson last night claimed Russia would not have invaded Ukraine if Vladimir Putin was a woman.
In an interview with German TV channel ZDF, he said: “If Putin were a woman, which he obviously isn’t, but if he were, I really don't think he would have embarked on a crazy macho war of invasion of violence in the way that he has.
“If you want a perfect example of toxic masculinity it’s what he is doing in Ukraine.”
The Prime Minister also said that while G7 leaders "desperately" want the war in Ukraine to end, there is "no deal available".
The Defence Secretary today claimed Vladimir Putin suffers from “small man syndrome”.
Responding to Boris Johnson’s comments, Ben Wallace told LBC radio: “I certainly think that President Putin’s view of himself and the world is a small man syndrome, macho view.
“You rarely hear the phrase ‘small woman syndrome’. You always hear ‘small man syndrome’ and I think he’s certainly got it in spades.”
It comes after the PM and G7 leaders mocked the Russian leader's bare-chested photos with Mr Johnson telling them: "Shall we take our clothes off?"
He added: “We have to show that we’re tougher than Putin.”
He made the comments arguing that "you need more women in positions of power".
Mr Johnson also said the G7 meeting had been "incredible" as leaders "got closer and closer".
"The logic is yes of course people all want the war to end, they want the war to end desperately, but there's no deal available.
"Putin isn't making an offer of a deal, (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky can't make an offer of a deal".
The Prime Minister said the West must support Kyiv in its military strategy to help change the dynamic of the conflict, and to get Mr Zelensky "in the best possible position to talk if and when talks eventually come".
"We really do want to give the Ukrainians strategic endurance," he said.
