'Step back from invading Ukraine' Defence secretary warns Putin amid Nato talks

9 February 2022, 22:31 | Updated: 10 February 2022, 10:08

Defence Secretary: Further British troops 'could potentially' be deployed

By Emma Soteriou

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has called for Russia to step back from the “wrong” option of invading Ukraine.

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Speaking to Nick Ferrari at Breakfast today, Mr Wallace said the UK was prepared to send more troops to Europe if needed, saying “we are one of Europe’s biggest powers, and it’s very important as one of the lead members of NATO we demonstrate not just our words, but our forces are available.

“There could potentially be more deployment [of UK troops]. We’re always ready. It is absolutely the case that you may see more of our forces go to allies in eastern Europe or southern Europe.

“If Russia were to do the wrong thing and invade Ukraine, the first thing you would see is potentially millions, or hundreds of thousands of refugees crossing into bordering states, and that in itself can destabilise the states.”

He said soldiers in neighbouring countries on a humanitarian mission are needed to keep things at a “calmer level.”

Defence Sec warns half of Russia's military is on Ukraine's border

A further 1,000 British troops are being put on standby to prepare for a possible "humanitarian crisis" if Russia invades Ukraine, Downing Street announced.

Boris Johnson was travelling to Brussels and Poland today for discussions with the Nato Secretary General and Polish leaders as the UK offers its support.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is in Moscow for talks with her counterpart Sergei Lavrov, in an attempt to urge President Vladimir Putin to draw back from conflict.

In a bid to show further support for a key Nato ally, British troops are also being paced on readiness to provide a humanitarian response if required, although they could also be used to provide further support to allies in the region.

Some 350 Royal Marines from 45 Commando are to begin deploying to Poland as part of a further strengthening of UK support to the country announced earlier this week.

Foreign Secretary Ms Truss warned her Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, that a war in Ukraine would be "disastrous".

At the meeting in Moscow she said: "The reality is we cannot ignore the build-up of over 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border and the attempts to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"Fundamentally, a war in Ukraine would be disastrous for the Russian and Ukrainian people, and for European security. And, together, Nato has made it clear that any incursion into Ukraine would have massive consequences and carry severe costs."

She said: "There is an alternative route, a diplomatic route that avoids conflict and bloodshed."

It comes as Russia currently has an estimated 130,000 troops massed along its border with Ukraine, prompting fears that it is preparing for a full-scale invasion.

However, French President Emmanuel Macron, who met Mr Putin in Moscow earlier this week, said he had told him he was not seeking to escalate the situation.

There will be "economic consequences" if Russia invade Ukraine

In December, the UK sent 100 Royal Engineers to the country after Moscow's ally - Belarus - engineered a refugee crisis on the border.

British officials warned any further Russian incursion into Ukraine would be a "humanitarian disaster" leading to a mass displacement of people, which would particularly affect countries like Poland and Lithuania.

Mr Johnson said: "When Nato was founded, allies made an historic undertaking to safeguard the freedom of every member state. The UK remains unwavering in our commitment to European security.

"What we need to see is real diplomacy, not coercive diplomacy. As an alliance we must draw lines in the snow and be clear there are principles upon which we will not compromise.

"That includes the security of every Nato ally and the right of every European democracy to aspire to Nato membership."

Truss: West needs to deter Russia from invading Ukraine

On his visit to the alliance headquarters in Brussels, Mr Johnson is expected to reiterate an offer to strengthen defences, following a meeting with Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg.

Measures include doubling the number of UK troops in Estonia, deploying more RAF jets to create a squadron in southern Europe, and dispatching a Type 45 destroyer and HMS Trent, an offshore patrol vessel, to the eastern Mediterranean.

While there is no appetite among Western powers for direct military intervention in Ukraine, which is not a Nato member, they have warned of crippling sanctions in the event of any Russian invasion.

After touching down in Moscow, Ms Truss said Russia must immediately withdraw its forces and respect Ukraine's sovereignty or face "severe consequences".

"Any incursion would be a huge mistake,`' she added.

"Diplomacy is the only way forward and Russia must pursue that path."