Ukraine-Russia Tensions: Boris Johnson Calls Vladimir Putin and Visits Eastern Europe “To Accelerate Diplomatic Efforts” | UK news

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Boris Johnson will strengthen his presence in the Russia-Ukraine crisis by making a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and visiting the region “in the coming days”.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said the prime minister would “step up deterrence to avoid bloodshed” between the two ex-Soviet states and was determined to “accelerate diplomatic efforts” during the trip.

“He will reiterate Russia’s need to step back and engage diplomatically when he speaks with President Putin this week,” she added.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden said he plans to move US forces to Eastern Europe and NATO countries “in the near term”, adding that the number “won’t be much.”

The Pentagon has put about 8,500 American soldiers on alert for their possible deployment to Europe, while President Putin has amassed a force of about 100,000 Russian soldiers on its border with Ukraine.

Photo: Ukrainian soldiers take part in a coastal defense exercise in the Odessa region, Ukraine

Expect tougher penalties

Last week, Johnson asked the defense and security chiefs to consider more defensive military options in Europe during a high-level intelligence briefing.

This weekend, he will consider a range of options to mitigate Russian aggression in the region, including more deployments and strengthening NATO defences.

The Foreign Office is expected to announce tougher sanctions on Monday, allowing the UK to target Russia’s strategic and financial interests.

Photo: Russian tanks take part in exercises in Rostov region

Russia says Truss will visit Moscow

Meanwhile, the Russian foreign minister said Liz Truss had “agreed to a date” to visit Moscow within the next two weeks.

The foreign minister has repeatedly spoken out against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Last week, intelligence was declassified indicating that Putin was planning to install a pro-Moscow leader as Ukraine’s prime minister.

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1:54 “Do you underestimate the risks of a Russian attack?”

Ukraine’s president says the media give the impression that the country is really at war

This comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the media gave the impression that Russia was already at war with Ukraine.

“No tanks in the streets,” he told reporters on Friday.

“But the media is giving the impression, if no one is here, that we have a war, that we have an army in the streets…that’s not the case. We don’t need that panic.”

Photo: The Royal Danish Air Force has sent four F-16 fighter jets and their crew to Lithuania to help reinforce patrols over the Baltic region.

Biden warns of possible military action by Russia in February

Earlier in the week, President Biden warned President Zelensky that there was a “clear possibility” that Russia might take military action against the country in February.

Similarly, the Kremlin said it saw “little grounds for optimism” in resolving the crisis after the United States once again rejected Russia’s main demands.

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“President Biden has said there is a clear possibility that the Russians could invade Ukraine in February,” White House National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horn said.

He said it publicly and we’ve been warning about it for months.”

Chris Philp, a minister at the Ministry of Digital, Culture, Media and Sports, told Sky News there was “deep concern” about an “unprecedented” build-up of Russian troops on the border, especially after the redeployment of units from eastern Russia. for the region.

“I think it’s a very dangerous situation,” he said.

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