GRIM WARNING FROM BORIS AS FORCES MOUNT
BORIS Johnson yesterday told world leaders Russia could yet pull back from invading Ukraine but warned: “The omens are grim.”
The PM branded reports of Russian withdrawal as fake while America estimates Vladimir Putin now has between 169,000 and 190,000 troops massed on Ukraine’s borders.
Mr Johnson told NATO countries gathering at the Munich Security Summit: “At this moment of extreme danger for the world, it has seldom been more vital to preserve our unity and resolve.
“After a generation of freedom, we’re now staring at a generation of bloodshed and misery.”
Following crisis talks with US president Joe Biden and the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, NATO and the EU, Mr Johnson said: ”We should not underestimate the gravity of this moment.”
He pledged to ban Russians from raising cash on London’s money markets and to delve into the ownership of companies to sanction those really in control if Ukraine is invaded. The UK is now sending the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales and 3 Commando Brigade to the region to reinforce our 2,000 troops in Estonia and 600 in Poland.
Another 1,000 soldiers have been put on standby to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Mr Johnson also urged European countries to wean themselves off dependence on President Putin’s oil and gas.
Mr Putin continues to deny any intention of crossing Ukraine’s borders.
But President Biden cited US intelligence assessments that an invasion will definitely happen this week.
However the PM did hold out an olive branch to Mr Putin saying he was prepared to hold talks on the presence of NATO forces in countries neighbouring Russia.
He added: “NATO is a peaceful and defensive alliance and we are willing to work with President Putin to demonstrate that point.”
Labour leader Keir Starmer said: “The deeply concerning signs of escalation show the threat of invasion by Russia remains real and immediate.”