Johnson warns Putin any invasion of Ukraine can be ‘tragic miscalculation’ amid elevated tensions

Boris Johnson has warned Russian president Vladimir Putin any invasion of Ukraine can be a “tragic miscalculation”, amid heightened tensions between Moscow and London.

In a name with Mr Putin – delayed because of the prime minister’s home troubles – No 10 stated Mr Johnson expressed his “deep concern” over “hostile exercise” in opposition to Ukraine, with as many as 100,000 Russian troops estimated to be amassing on the nation’s border.

It got here simply hours after Royal Air Pressure (RAF) hurricane fighter jets have been scrambled to intercept “unidentified plane” – later recognized as 4 Russian Bear planes – approaching a UK “space of curiosity”, in response to an RAF spokesperson.

At no time did the Russian plane enter UK airspace, the RAF added, which routinely screens plane approaching worldwide airspace for which the UK is accountable in sure methods, reminiscent of air site visitors management companies.

And on Wednesday, US president Joe Biden directed officers at his nation’s Division of Defence (DOD) to deploy 2,000 troops to positions in Poland in Germany in an effort to bolster Nato’s jap flank and try to discourage a potential invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces.

After the decision between Mr Putin and Mr Johnson, which lasted round 45 minutes, a No 10 spokesperson additionally made clear the “proper to aspire” to Nato membership utilized to Ukraine – a transfer strongly opposed by Mr Putin.

The spokesperson stated: “The prime minister expressed his deep concern about Russia’s present hostile exercise on the Ukrainian border.

“He emphasised the necessity to discover a method ahead which respects each Ukraine’s territorial integrity and proper to self-defence.

In a warning to the Kremlin, they went on: “The prime minister burdened that any additional Russian incursion into Ukrainian territory can be a tragic miscalculation.”

Nonetheless, No 10 additionally stated that each Mr Johnson and Mr Putin agreed that “aggravation was in nobody’s curiosity”, including: “The prime minister burdened the significance of dialogue and diplomacy, and the necessity to embrace Ukraine in talks”.

“The prime minister underscored that, underneath Nato’s open door coverage, all European democracies have a proper to aspire to Nato membership. This proper absolutely applies to Ukraine. He additionally reiterated that Nato is a defensive alliance.”

The No 10 spokesperson, nonetheless, didn’t make reference to the sooner motion of RAF jets to intercept and escort 4 Russian plane – two Tu-95 Bear H and two Tu-142 Bear F bombers.

However an RAF spokesperson stated: “Fast Response Alert Storm fighters primarily based at RAF Lossiemouth supported a Voyager from RAF Brize Norton have been scrambled at the moment in opposition to unidentified plane approaching the UK space of curiosity. Subsequently we intercepted and escorted 4 Russian Bear plane”.

The decision between the 2 leaders had been as a result of happen on Monday, however the prime minister, who faces calls to resign from members of his personal get together, was pressured to cope with the fallout from Whitehall mandarin Sue Grey’s report in rule-busting events in Downing Avenue.

Mr Johnson was much less diplomatic in his language throughout a gathering with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kiev on Tuesday – throughout which he accused the Russian president of successfully “holding a gun.. to the pinnacle of Ukraine”.

He additionally echoed sentiments of different Nato members, stressing that Moscow can be hit with sanctions the “second the primary Russian toecap crosses additional into Ukrainian territory”.