The German government was outraged by former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's statement that Berlin initially wanted Ukraine to collapse quickly after the war began in February, Reuters reported.

CNN's Portuguese service quoted Johnson as saying that the German point of view at some point was that if it happened, which would be a disaster, it would be better if it all ended quickly and Ukraine collapsed. Johnson said Germany had all sorts of good economic reasons for this position.

German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said Wednesday that he was tempted to switch to English and say that what Boris Johnson said was 'complete nonsense.

Johnson was repeatedly accused of lying during his career as a journalist, MP and then prime minister. In July, members of his own party forced him to resign.