Johnson warns Putin that invading Ukraine would be 'strategic mistake'
Boris Johnson warns Vladimir Putin that invading Ukraine would be a ‘strategic mistake that would have significant consequences’ as Moscow continues to concentrate troops close to the border
- The two men spoke by telephone amid fears of a new war in eastern Europe
- Autocrat Mr Putin had last night denied Russia planned to seize territory
- US intelligence believes up to 175,000 Russian troops could attack next year
Boris Johnson warned Vladimir Putin today that Russia would face ‘significant consequences’ if it invaded Ukraine.
The two men spoke by telephone as Moscow continued to heighten fears of war in eastern Europe with a troop build up close to the border.
Autocrat Mr Putin had last night denied Russia planned to seize territory from Ukraine and accused Britain and its allies of ‘demonising’ his country.
US intelligence officials estimate that as many as 175,000 Russian troops could launch an attack early next year, with troops, tanks and artillery already massing on the Ukrainian border.
And in a conversation between the two leaders on Monday afternoon, the Prime Minister reiterated to Mr Putin ‘the importance of working through diplomatic channels to deescalate tensions and identify durable solutions’.
A Downing Street spokesman said: ‘The Prime Minister emphasised the UK’s commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and warned that any destabilising action would be a strategic mistake that would have significant consequences.
The two men spoke by telephone as Moscow continued to heighten fears of war in eastern Europe with a troop build up close to the border.
Autocrat Mr Putin has last night denied Russia planned to seize territory from Ukraine and accused Britain and its allies of ‘demonising’ his country.
US intelligence officials estimate that as many as 175,000 Russian troops could launch an attack early next year, with troops, tanks and artillery already massing on the Ukrainian border.
The spokesman said the PM ‘also recognised the importance of dialogue on international and regional security, and they agreed it is imperative that all sides respect the terms of the Minsk Protocol’ which ended fighting in the Donbass area of Ukraine, which is claimed by Russia.
However, The Kremlin said that Mr Putin had demanded immediate talks with the West to curb any potential eastward expansion of NATO.
‘Vladimir Putin said there was a need to immediately begin negotiations with the goal of coming up with clear, international legal agreements that would prevent NATO’s further expansion east and the deployment of weapons that threaten Russia to neighbouring states, primarily Ukraine,’ the Kremlin said in a statement.
At the weekend G7 foreign ministers meeting in Liverpool warned that Russia faces ‘massive consequences’ if it invades its neighbour.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: ‘We have sent a very clear, united message to Vladimir Putin.
‘We want Russia to stop its aggression with respect to Ukraine.’
She said the group of seven countries was ‘considering all options’ when it came to imposing economic sanctions.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the broadcaster NBC News: ‘We are prepared to take the kinds of steps we have refrained from taking in the past.’
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