Boris Johnson today dismissed Vladimir Putin's nuclear threats saying he just 'wants to make your flesh creep'.

At a pro-Ukraine event at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the former PM compared the Russian dictator to 'the fat boy in Dickens'.

That is a reference to the Pickwick Papers, where Joe reveals a secret to another character in the knowledge it will disturb them.

Mr Johnson also urged Western leaders to follow the UK's example in sending tanks to Kyiv. When a fellow panelist used an ice hockey analogy about predicting Russia's next move, he quipped: 'Tell Putin to get the puck out of Ukraine.'   

Mr Johnson told the breakfast event: 'Putin wants to present it as a nuclear stand-off between between Nato and Russia.

'Nonsense. He's not going to use nuclear weapons, okay. He's like the fat boy in Dickens, he wants to make our flesh creep. He wants us to think about it. He's never going to do it.'

He said such a move would put the Russian president into 'a complete economic cryogenic paralysis' and 'terrify the Russians'.

'He's not going to do it. Don't go down that rabbit hole, stop it,' Mr Johnson added.

The ex-PM also also urged the audience to 'stop worrying about Kremlinology,' quipping: 'It's difficult to work out what's gonna happen in UK politics, let alone in the Kremlin.'

Canada's deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland called for more Western support for Ukraine, saying: 'I don't skate to where the puck is. I skate to where the puck is going. This puck is going to Ukrainian victory, so let's skate there.'

Mr Johnson chimed in: 'Tell Putin to get the puck out of Ukraine', prompting laughter from the audience.

Mr Johnson struck up a 'bromance' with Volodymyr Zelensky when he was PM, visiting Kyiv and speaking regularly on the phone as well as urging fellow leaders to step up support. 

Rishi Sunak has skipped the gathering of the power elite in Davos this year, sending Business Secretary Grant Shapps instead.

However, Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves are attending.