Boris heads to NATO HQ vowing to draw 'line in the snow' over Ukraine
‘Stop the Cold War rhetoric’: Liz Truss warns Putin against ‘disastrous’ Ukraine invasion during Moscow talks as warring Boris and Keir put on united front at NATO HQ – while poll finds HALF of Brits back boycott on Russian goods
Liz Truss urged Russia to ‘stop the Cold War rhetoric’ and step back from a ‘disastrous’ Ukraine invasion during crunch talks in Moscow today.
The Foreign Secretary told counterpart Sergei Lavrov that Kiev must not be ‘bullied’ and there would be ‘massive consequences’.
The warning came as Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer present a united front against Vladimir Putin’s sabre-rattling by visiting to Nato HQ.
The PM is holding talks with the alliance’s secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, before visiting Poland.
The Labour leader is also in the Belgian capital, stressing that he is fully behind the government’s response to Vladimir Putin’s military mobilisation.
As another 1,000 British troops are put on standby to fly to the troubled region, Ms Truss told Mr Lavrov: ‘The reality is we cannot ignore the build-up of over 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border and the attempts to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity.
‘Fundamentally, a war in Ukraine would be disastrous for the Russian and Ukrainian people, and for European security. And, together, Nato has made it clear that any incursion into Ukraine would have massive consequences and carry severe costs.’
The diplomatic blitz comes as a poll for MailOnline found strong backing for sanctions if Mr Putin invades. Some 49 per cent said they would support a national boycott of Russian goods and services, with just 14 per cent opposed.
However, the public appears split over the idea of deploying troops and supplying weapons.
Boris Johnson leaving Downing Street today for Brussels, where he is holding talks with Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg, before visiting Poland
Ukraine forces stand guard in the eastern region of Donetsk yesterday
Keir Starmer (left) is also going to Nato HQ for talks today, while Liz Truss is in Moscow (right)
Western leaders fear a build-up of 130,000 Russian troops on the Ukrainian border is the prelude to an invasion.
Six Russian landing ships filled with tanks and troops yesterday assembled in the Black Sea to back up the land forces, heightening concerns.
Moscow’s forces are also beginning joint military exercises with ally Belarus.
In Brussels, Mr Johnson is set to announce another 1,000 British troops will be ‘put at readiness’ for deployment to the region in the event that Russia invades.
A source said the troops would ‘support a humanitarian response in the region, should it be needed’.
It is understood they would be asked to help secure the borders of Ukraine’s neighbours and build refugee camps in countries such as Poland and Lithuania with fears more than a million Ukrainians could flee any conflict.
Mr Johnson will then fly to Poland to reassure allies they have Britain’s backing against Russian aggression and call for the West to show ‘solidarity’ with Ukraine, including supporting its right to aspire to membership of Nato.
The move comes amid fears French president Emmanuel Macron is pushing for a ‘compromise’ with Moscow that would see Ukraine forced to loosen its ties with the West.
Speaking ahead of today’s visit, Mr Johnson said: ‘As an alliance we must draw lines in the snow and be clear there are principles upon which we will not compromise.’
Ms Truss arrived in Moscow last night, becoming the first Foreign Secretary to visit the Russian capital for more than four years.
Today she will hold talks with Mr Lavrov, one of Mr Putin’s closest allies.
She will urge him to take ‘an alternative route – a diplomatic route – that avoids conflict and bloodshed,’ adding: ‘Russia has a choice which can result in a better future for Europe, Russia and the Russian people.’
A poll for MailOnline has found strong backing for sanctions if Mr Putin invades. Some 49 per cent said they would support a national boycott of Russian goods and services, with just 14 per cent opposed
A source added: ‘Liz believes we can make progress and resolve this through dialogue, but Russia must accept the fundamental principle that Ukraine is a sovereign country that decides its own security arrangements.
‘She’ll call out Russian bullying tactics and warn any invasion will backfire on the Kremlin, including the possibility that Nord Stream 2 (gas pipeline) is cancelled.’ Defence Secretary Ben Wallace is also expected to visit the Russian capital in the coming days, to underline the West’s resolve to stand up for Ukraine’s independence.
But Russia’s ambassador to London, Andrey Kelin, yesterday warned the UK to drop its threat of severe economic sanctions or both politicians would find their trips east would be ‘fairly short’.
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