Boris Johnson has warned “the stakes are very high” amid ongoing fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, and warned that the next few days are probably the “most dangerous moment”.
Holding a news briefing with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the prime minister said it was “time to de-escalate” adding: “We must resist, we must oppose any return to the days when fates of nations are decided over their heads by a handful of great powers.”
He added: “I honestly don’t think a decision has yet been taken but that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible that something absolutely disastrous could happen very soon indeed.
“Our intelligence, I’m afraid to say, remains grim. We’re seeing the massing of huge numbers of tactical battalion groups on the border with Ukraine.
“This is probably the most dangerous moment in the course of the next few days in what is the biggest security crisis Europe has faced for decades.”
Mr Johnson continued: “The stakes are very high and this is a very dangerous moment. At stake are the rules that protect every nation – big and small.”
But he told broadcasters that Britain’s commitment to European security is “absolute and “immovable”.
Mr Stoltenberg said he is “prepared to listen to Russia’s concerns” but warned that this is “a dangerous moment for European security”.
But he added: “NATO will not compromise on core principles – the right of each nation to choose its own path and NATO’s ability to protect and defend all allies.”
The prime minister is visiting both Belgium and Poland today as part of diplomatic efforts in the face of Russia’s build-up of thousands of troops on the border with its neighbour.
Mr Johnson recently offered to double the number of British troops on Europe’s borders with Russia, as well as deploy more UK jets and ships to the region.
Asked at the news briefing whether he is confident
The prime minister will later travel on to Warsaw to meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister…
Source : skynews
