Johnson's warning to Putin: Invasion of Ukraine "catastrophic step"

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson today warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that an invasion of Ukraine would be a "catastrophic step".

"We have to make it very clear to the Kremlin, in Russia, that this would be a catastrophic step," Johnson said.

An invasion would be a "painful, violent and bloody affair," the British prime minister said, and a possible conflict would end in "a new Chechnya," Johnson warned the Russian president.

Asked if he thinks an invasion is imminent, he replied: "The information is quite ominous at this stage. But I do not think it is inevitable in any way, I think that logic can still prevail. "

Johnson said he would speak to other leaders on the issue later today.

"We must also convey the message that an invasion of Ukraine from the Russian side will be a painful, violent and bloody affair, and I think it is very important for the people of Russia to understand that it could develop into a new Chechnya."

For his part, Johnson's spokesman said London had no plans to send troops to Ukraine to help Kiev defend itself against Russian aggression.

Asked about the Ukrainian ambassador's comments to Britain that he would welcome British troops into a possible Russian invasion, Johnson's spokesman said: "There is absolutely no plan to send British troops to Ukraine."

Britain has already sent a small number of infantry to Ukraine to assist in defense weapons training.

NATO countries today put their forces on alert and sent ships and fighter jets to bolster their defenses in Eastern Europe against Russian military activity on its border with Ukraine, a move that Russia has denounced as escalating tensions. on the Ukrainian issue.

This development has reinforced a number of indications that the West is preparing for an aggressive move by Russia against Ukraine. In response, the Kremlin accused the West of "hysteria."

Source: RES-EAP