Liz Truss fires warning shot at Vladimir Putin over Ukraine

Liz Truss today fired a fresh warning shot at Vladimir Putin as she said a Russian invasion of Ukraine would have ‘massive consequences’. 

The Foreign Secretary said those consequences would come at a ‘severe cost’ to Moscow. 

She made the comments calling for an end to Russian aggression as she hosted a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Liverpool.    

Ms Truss also took aim at China as she accused Beijing of using ‘coercive economic policies’ to boost its global influence.  

The UK and the US have expressed concerns about the build-up of Russian forces on Russia’s border with Ukraine. 

The Kremlin has dismissed claims that it is preparing to invade but Ukraine is seeking ‘swift’ action from its allies to ‘deter’ a potential incursion by Moscow.

Ukraine has warned that Russia could launch a military operation ‘in the blink of an eye’.      

Speaking in Liverpool this morning, Ms Truss said: ‘We have sent a powerful signal to our adversaries and our allies.

‘We have been clear that any incursion by Russia into Ukraine would have massive consequences for which there would be a severe cost.’

Asked why ‘stern words’ would make any difference to Russia’s actions, Ms Truss said: ‘What we have seen this weekend is very much a united voice from the G7 nations who represent 50 per cent of global GDP being very clear that there would be massive consequences for Russia in the case of an incursion into Ukraine that would carry a severe cost.’

She added: ‘We have sent a very clear united message to Vladimir Putin from this G7 meeting and we want Russia to stop its aggression with respect to Ukraine.

‘We are very clear that there would be severe consequences if that incursion took place. This is about deterring Russia from taking that action.’

The Foreign Secretary told Mr Putin in November that it would be a ‘strategic mistake’ for Russia to invade Ukraine. 

G7 foreign ministers issued a statement following their meeting in Liverpool which said: ‘We call on Russia to de-escalate, pursue diplomatic channels, and abide by its international commitments on transparency of military activities, as President Biden did in his call with President Putin on December 7.’ 

They added: ‘Any use of force to change borders is strictly prohibited under international law. 

‘Russia should be in no doubt that further military aggression against Ukraine would have massive consequences and severe cost in response.

‘We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the right of any sovereign state to determine its own future. We commend Ukraine’s posture of restraint.

‘We will intensify our co-operation on our common and comprehensive response.’ 

Meanwhile, Ms Truss was also asked during a press conference if she viewed China as a threat to the UK’s way of life. 

She replied: ‘We have been clear at this meeting this weekend that we are concerned about the coercive economic policies of China.

‘And what we want to do is build the investment reach, the economic trade reach of like-minded freedom-loving democracies.

‘That is why we are stepping up our investment into low and middle income countries. 

‘A couple of weeks ago we launched British International Investment with an increased budget and that is also why we are working with our friends and partners to help shape the future of technology to make sure that technology is shaped by the free world, particularly standards in areas like artificial intelligence and quantum technology.’