UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has responded to Vladimir Putin's chilling nuclear bomb threat to the West.
The Russian president earlier on Wednesday (21 September) announced the first mobilisation of Russia since World War II.
Putin said: "The West has engaged in nuclear blackmail against us.
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"If its territorial integrity is threatened Russia will use all the means at its disposal to protect our people. This is not a bluff."
Wallace has now responded to the threat, saying: “President Putin’s breaking of his own promises not to mobilise parts of the population and the illegal annexation of parts of Ukraine are an admission that his invasion is failing.
“He and his defence minister have sent tens of thousands of their own citizens to their deaths, ill-equipped and badly led.
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“No amount of threats and propaganda can hide the fact that Ukraine is winning this war, the international community are united and Russia is becoming a global pariah.”
Foreign Office minister Gillian Keegan also admitted that ongoing discussions will continue to seek a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine war.
The Chichester MP told BBC Breakfast: “There will always be discussions that will be going on either via Ukraine or other countries as well. or directly, so we will continue to urge calm and we will continue to have those discussions where possible.”
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Asked where this goes now, she said: “I don’t know where it goes.
"I mean, obviously, the big news for the Russian people is some of them will be conscripted as reservists, etc.
“To date, I think Russia have lost about 55,000 of their troops.
"That’s a lot of people who have already given their lives in this war from Russia.”
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Keegan also told Sky News: “Some of the language there was quite concerning at the end and obviously we would urge for calm.”
The Chichester MP also said: “It’s something that we should take very seriously because, you know, we’re not in control.
“I’m not sure he’s in control either really.
"I mean, this is obviously an escalation and, of course, for the Russian people now they will be conscripted into this war."
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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
Topics: Vladimir Putin, Russia, Ukraine
Anish Vij