UK-based Ukrainians have called for Boris Johnson's Government to act without delay as Russian troops are ordered into the country.
In a letter sent to Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and copied to the Prime Minister, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and other ministers, national chairman of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) Petro Rewko said it is clear the "window for diplomacy" has closed.
He said: "As you will be well aware, the scope for prolonged military threats and potential further aggression is very real and the consequent humanitarian disaster would be unimaginable.
"History shows us that Russia's invading forces will have no regard to the safety and human rights of the civilian population, that the death toll will be significant, and that war crimes will be committed."
He added: "We believe that it is time for the UK Government and its Nato partners to act without further delay, as Russia is intensifying its war against Ukraine now."
Mr Rewko urged the Government to support Ukraine's foreign secretary, Dmytro Kuleba, in his call for action after Mr Johnson vowed to swiftly introduce the "first barrage" of sanctions against Russia.
In his letter, Mr Rewko said he is grateful for the support for Ukraine and asked the Foreign Secretary to meet the AUGB to discuss what further action the Government will take.
"Any apparent lack of resolve from the international community will simply allow President (Vladimir) Putin to continue acting with impunity - as he has done since coming to power," he said.
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