Boris Johnson To Hold Major Press Conference Today

Boris Johnson is expected to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine at a major press conference held today, March 7.

The PM's speech comes in the midst of the second week of fighting in Ukraine, where the military and determined civilians continue to fight against invading Russians to defend their country.

Johnson is set to speak at 3.00pm GMT from Downing Street in London, joined by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte. He is also set to engage in conversations about the conflict with US president Joe Biden.

Ahead of the conference, per The Independent, Johnson said today: 'I’ve got the the leaders of Holland and Canada – Justin Trudeau of Canada, Mark Rutte of Holland – here with me right now. Later on, I’ll be talking to Joe Biden and other colleagues about what we can do to bring the west together and to keep the west together.'

Johnson also praised the response of the West following the invasion on February 24, saying: 'I think the the unity of the west has been very, very strong during this period. It’s been something that I don’t think [Russian president Vladimir] Putin bargained for.'

Today's address comes as the government plans to rush its Economic Crime Bill through Parliament in a bid to harden and speed up sanctions against oligarchs and firms with links to Putin.

The bill is expected to pass all stages in the House of Commons today before moving on to the House of Lords for consideration, BBC News reports. It will likely be passed into law later this month, when it will create a new register that requires foreign owners of UK property to declare and verify their identities with Companies House. In turn, this aims to prevent criminals and oligarchs from hiding behind secret shell companies which are registered overseas.

As well as facing pressures to increase sanctions on Russia, the government is facing criticism after the Home Office said only 'around 50' visas had been offered to Ukrainians fleeing the country as of Sunday, March 6.

Johnson has denied the number was so low, suggesting the figures were incorrect, while Home Secretary Priti Patel told The Sun the government is working on a new route to give refugees safe haven in the UK.

She commented: 'In response to the desperation I saw with my own eyes at the Polish border two days ago, I’m urgently escalating our response to the growing humanitarian crisis. I am now investigating the legal options to create a humanitarian route. This means anyone without ties to the UK fleeing the conflict in Ukraine will have a right to come to this nation.'

It is unclear whether the PM will address the number of refugees taken in by the UK in his conference.

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information