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Liz Truss met with Sergei Lavrov on Thursday in an attempt to cool tensions on the Ukrainian border as Vladimir Putin continues to build forces in the region. Ms Truss warned Russia that an incursion into Ukraine would have “massive consequences and carry severe costs” and wanted to pursue an “alternative” diplomatic route. Mr Lavrov described interaction with Ms Truss as “unprecedented” as Russia tries to normalise relations with the UK.<\/p>\n
Ms Truss laid out the UK’s position during a meeting with Mr Lavrov and warned against conflict.<\/p>\n
She said: “Fundamentally, a war in Ukraine would be disastrous for the Russian and Ukrainian people and for European security.<\/p>\n
“And together, NATO has made it clear that any incursion into Ukraine would have massive consequences and carry severe costs.<\/p>\n
“There is an alternative route, a diplomatic route, that avoids conflict and bloodshed.<\/p>\n
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“And as you say, this would enable us to build ties.<\/p>\n
“This morning, I visited the Moscow State University and saw the excellent Russian mathematicians in action.<\/p>\n
“As fellow permanent members of the Security Council, I am here to urge Russia to take that path.<\/p>\n
“As the five members, we are already working to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons to improve global security.”<\/p>\n
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Ms Truss remarked if Russia was able to respect the principles of Ukrainian sovereignty under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum then she believed the talks could “strengthen security for all”.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also visiting Poland and Belgium on Thursday to speak to leaders about the issue in Ukraine.<\/p>\n
Mr Johnson will meet with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg about increasing troops on the Ukrainian border.<\/p>\n
Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki will meet with Mr Johnson in Warsaw later with the Tory leader also meeting with British troops working with NATO.<\/p>\n
Mr Johnson urged NATO to “draw a line in the snow”.<\/p>\n
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