Boris Johnson launches diplomatic blitz over Ukraine standoff
Another Maggie moment for blue Liz Truss in Red Square as Foreign Secretary poses for Thatcher-esque pictures in the heart of Moscow ahead of talks with Putin regime over Ukraine
The Foreign Secretary posed for pictures in Red Square in a fur coat and hat Comes 35 years after ex-Tory premier did the same on a visit to Soviet UnionTruss arrived in the Russian capital to speak to her counterpart Sergei Lavrov
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Liz Truss arrived in Moscow for talks aimed at seeing off an invasion of Ukraine by Russia today – with another Thatcheresque photographic display.
The Foreign Secretary posed for pictures in Red Square in a fur coat and hat, 35 years after the former Tory premier did the same on a visit to the then Soviet Union.
She arrived in the Russian capital to speak to her counterpart Sergei Lavrov ahead of Boris Johnson‘s launch of a diplomatic blitz over the Ukraine standoff tomorrow with visits to Brussels and Poland.
Mr Johnson is visiting NATO HQ in Belgium for talks with secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg in the morning, amid efforts to forge a united line against Vladimir Putin.
And the premier will meet Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki and President Andrzej Duda as the UK scrambles to reassure partners it will support them in the face of Russia aggression.
The trip is the first visit by a UK Foreign Secretary for more than four years and comes with tensions high over the build-up of Russian forces near the border with Ukraine.
The trip is the first visit by a UK Foreign Secretary for more than four years and comes with tensions high over the build-up of Russian forces near the border with Ukraine.
The Foreign Secretary posed for pictures in Red Square in a fur coat and hat, 35 years after the former Tory premier did the same on a visit to the then Soviet Union.
She arrived in the Russian capital to speak to her counterpart Sergei Lavrov ahead of Boris Johnson ‘s launch of a diplomatic blitz over the Ukraine standoff tomorrow with visits to Brussels and Poland.
It is the latest photo opportunity by the Foreign Secretary that has drawn parallels with Mrs Thatcher, who died in 2013 aged 87.
She was photographed with her head popping out of the turret of a Challenger 2 tank last December, mimicking a pose forever linked to the party’s first female leader.
It is the latest photo opportunity by the Foreign Secretary that has drawn parallels with Mrs Thatcher, who died in 2013 aged 87.
She was photographed with her head popping out of the turret of a Challenger 2 tank last December, mimicking a pose forever linked to the party’s first female leader.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace is also set to visit the Russian capital this week.
But there are concerns about splits within the Western allies, after Emmanuel Macron was accused of making private promises in a meeting with Mr Putin and with details of a potential sanctions package yet to be agreed.
Boris Johnson will launch a diplomatic blitz in the Ukraine standoff tomorrow as he heads to Brussels and Poland. Pictured, Kiev’s forces train this week
Mr Johnson (pictured) is visiting NATO HQ in Belgium for talks with secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg in tomorrow morning
The West are scrambling to show a united front against Vladimir Putin (pictured)
Ahead of her visit, Ms Truss said: ‘The UK is determined to stand up for freedom and democracy in Ukraine.
‘I’m visiting Moscow to urge Russia to pursue a diplomatic solution and make clear that another Russian invasion of a sovereign state would bring massive consequences for all involved.
‘Russia should be in no doubt about the strength of our response. We have said many times that any further invasion would incur severe costs, including through a co-ordinated package of sanctions.
‘Russia has a choice here. We strongly encourage them to engage, de-escalate and choose the path of diplomacy.’
The UK is prepared to impose what Ms Truss has branded ‘the toughest sanctions regime against Russia we have ever had’ if there is an invasion of Ukraine, targeting those closest to the Kremlin.
But Moscow has threatened retribution, with concerns Mr Putin may strike first and try to disrupt the West’s economic structures and use his role as a major gas supplier to Germany and other powers.
Mr Johnson’s trip to Poland was confirmed by the foreign ministry in Warsaw, Reuters reported. He will visit British troops stationed in the country.
NATO confirmed the PM’s trip to Brussels in a press release this morning.
It follows his talks with Lithuania’s Ingrida Simonyte in Downing Street and a call with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte yesterday.
Russia has insisted it has no plans to invade Ukraine but President Vladimir Putin has raised concerns about Nato expansion in eastern Europe – Ukraine is not a member of the alliance but has received support from the West.
