Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Boris Johnson, Russia, Twitter, Vladimir Putin
Emily Brown
Boris Johnson has described the situation in Ukraine as 'increasingly concerning' after being briefed by Britain's defence chiefs.
The prime minister shared his thoughts on Twitter today, January 30, following increasing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which is threatening economic sanctions against Russia if it invades.
British troops have been deployed to Ukraine to teach forces how to use anti-tank weapons, while Johnson has plans to call Russian President Vladimir Putin and visit eastern Europe as part of efforts to resolve the border crisis.
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As the situation continues to unfold, Johnson took to Twitter to share an image of himself looking concerned, explaining that he had been briefed about 'the situation on Ukraine's border' earlier this week.
He commented: 'The picture is increasingly concerning – I continue to urge Russia to engage in negotiations and avoid a reckless and catastrophic invasion.'
The PM's tweet came after foreign secretary Liz Truss told Sky News that the UK's 'number one priority' is deterring Putin from invasion, explaining that Britain is 'offering to deploy extra troops into Estonia', 'providing more air support across the Black Sea' and 'supplying defensive weapons to Ukraine to make sure they are in the best possible position should Vladimir Putin try to stage an incursion.'
Truss explained that she is set to make an announcement later this week with regards to improved legislation on sanctions which will allow officials to 'target more Russian interests that are of direct relevance to the Kremlin.'
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The foreign secretary said it would be 'very unlikely' that British troops could be sent to fight alongside Ukranians, though she said she was 'ruling absolutely nothing out' when it comes to the UK's support for Ukraine.
She added: 'Any company of interest to the Kremlin and the regime in Russia would be able to be targeted. So there would be nowhere to hide for Putin's oligarchs or Russian companies involved in propping up the Russian state. That is what we are looking at doing this week.'
According to a statement from Downing Street, Johnson is set to encourage Putin to 'engage diplomatically' during his call to Putin, in which he will 'reiterate the need for Russia to step back.'
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The PM has conferred with US President Joe Biden, European leaders and Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg about the situation, with a call last week confirming 'that diplomatic talks with Russia remained the first priority', BBC News reports.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: 'The prime minister is determined to accelerate diplomatic efforts and ramp up deterrence to avoid bloodshed in Europe.'
Truss confirmed the UK is working 'very closely' with allies such as the US and EU on a 'severe' package of sanctions for Russia.
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