A war in the Ukraine could spill over into other parts of Europe and around the world, Liz Truss has warned.
The UK Foreign Secretary said that the Russian threat to invade meant “we could be on the brink of a war in Europe, which would have severe consequences not just for the people of Russian and Ukraine but for the broader security in Europe”.
The stark assessment from the “very worried” Truss came as come as last-ditch efforts for a diplomatic solution to the crisis on the Russia-Ukraine border were underway.
Russia has 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border and Truss said an invasion “could be imminent and it is highly likely”.
Her comments came as Russia’s Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden signalled that there was still an opportunity for a diplomatic solution and some Russian forces began withdrawing after completing war game exercises.
Truss said any conflict could be a “long, protracted war” and suggested that if war broke out Putin “would not stop at Ukraine”.
She said: “President Putin has actively questioned why other countries in eastern Europe are members of Nato as well, so this I fear would not stop at Ukraine.
“This is an attack on the neighbouring states of Russia and other east European countries in trying to undermine the legitimacy of them being part of Nato.”
She told Sky News: “The big risk of course if there is an invasion into Ukraine, that would be hugely damaging for Russia and for Ukraine, and it would further undermine the stability of Europe.”
Liz Truss said that, in order to believe the Russians when they say they have no plans to invade Ukraine, she will have to see a “full-scale removal” of troops.
Asked about reports by the Interfax news agency that some Russian troops are expected to return to bases, Truss said: “Certainly, our latest intelligence suggests that an invasion is imminent, that it’s highly likely, and that we’ve seen 100,000 troops stationed around the border.
“Separately, the Russians have claimed that they have no plans for an invasion, but we will need to see a full-scale removal of troops to show that is true.”
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