Boris Johnson issues warning to Vladimir Putin amid Ukrainian invasion fears

Kieran Galpin

Vladimir Putin has reportedly amassed a large force at the Ukrainian border

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged Vladimir Putin that invading Ukraine would be “disastrous” and a “painful, violent and bloody business.”

While denying that war is inevitable, the PM said the situation is “pretty gloomy” and he will be “leading on creating a package of economic sanctions” against Russia. He also added that defence weaponry is being supplied to Ukraine, reports the BBC.

Despite Russia’s insistence that there are no plans for military action, tens of thousands of troops have congregated at Ukraine’s border, leading to international attention and warnings from the likes of the US.

Ukraine vs Russia military by the numbers: pic.twitter.com/fsZF4Tkdib

— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) January 21, 2022

Johnson said: “The intelligence is very clear that there are 60 Russian battle groups on the borders of Ukraine, the plan for a lightning war that could take out Kyiv is one that everybody can see.

“We need to make it very clear to the Kremlin, to Russia, that that would be a disastrous step.”

This comes as the UK pulls around half of its embassy staff from Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. The US has similarly ordered staff home, citing that invasion could arrive “at any time.”

BREAKING: The Netherlands breaks with Germany and drops its opposition to arming Ukraine

— Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2) January 21, 2022

“My judgment is that they will fight,” Johnson said of the Ukrainian people.

Speaking to the press in Milton Keynes today, Johnson added: “We also need to get a message that invading Ukraine, from a Russian perspective, is going to be a painful, violent and bloody business.

EU ready for 'never-seen-before' sanctions if Russia attacks Ukraine https://t.co/RN3oDD8rfA pic.twitter.com/nuMsgyKjHI

— Reuters (@Reuters) January 24, 2022

“I think it’s very important that people in Russia understand that this could be a new Chechnya.”

The Tories are awash with Russian-linked money (£1.93m under Boris Johnson)

14 of his ministers received donations linked with Russia.

He refused to even look at Russian influence and tried to suppress the Russia report.

But I’m sure he’ll stand up fully to Russia over Ukraine

— David Schneider (@davidschneider) January 24, 2022

When prompted about the possibility of invasion, the PM said: “I’ve got to tell you that I think the intelligence is pretty gloomy at this point. There is certainly a very, very large array of Russian forces and we have to take the necessary steps.

“I don’t think it’s by any means inevitable now, I think that sense can still prevail.”