Boris Johnson latest news: War could last years but may be beginning of end for Russian president, Liz truss says

Boris Johnson speaks Russian in address to its citizens amid Ukraine’s invasion

Foreign secretary Liz Truss has said that the war in Ukraine will deliver an economic blow to Britain but that it was a price the country had to be prepared to pay.

Speaking to Sky News’s Trevor Phillips, Ms Truss said: “If we don’t stop Putin in Ukraine we are going to see others under threat – the Baltics, Poland, Moldova, and it could end up in a conflict with Nato.

“That is why it is so important we make the sacrifices now.

“Yes, there will be an economic cost here in Britain, there will be a cost in terms of access to oil and gas markets. I firmly believe that the British public understand the price we will pay if we don’t stand up to Putin now.”

It comes as the foreign secretary earlier warned that the conflict could last for number of years, but hinted it could mark the “beginning of the end” for President Putin.

She said: “We know Russia has strong forces but the Ukrainians are brave…they are determined to protect and fight”

“This could be the beginning of the end for Putin,” she said.

Key points

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Cost-of-living crisis will get worse due to Russian sanctions, minister admits

Sanctions imposed on Russia in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine will make the domestic cost-of-living crisis worse, a cabinet minister has admitted.

Our political correspondent Ashley Cowburn has the details:

Emily Atkinson27 February 2022 12:36

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UK needs to apply ‘maximum pressure’ on Russia, says Angus Robertson

Britain must tighten its sanctions on Moscow and prepare to face the economic consequences if it is to topple to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Scotland’s external affairs secretary has said.

Speaking to BBC Scotland today, Angus Robertson said: “Unfortunately we’re past the stage of deterrence with President Putin.

“What we need to do is make sure we apply maximum pressure on the Russian government so there is a price to pay for continuing with this aggressive military campaign in Ukraine.”

Since the war in Ukraine is likely to force a rise in both food and energy prices, Mr Roberson said people in the UK need to understand “there will be a cost”.

But he added: “War is even more costly, so let’s do what we can to help President Putin understand he cannot go on with this military aggression.

“Our friends in Ukraine need to know we will do everything in our means to help them, in terms of humanitarian aid, military support and in supporting those who are seeking refuge elsewhere in Europe.

“Sanctions need to be tightened this week, governments need to speak to one another, there is always more we can do.”

Emily Atkinson27 February 2022 12:27

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Latest intelligence update from the Ministry of Defence (MoD)

Emily Atkinson27 February 2022 12:09

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Rory Stewart urges UK to follow Germany’s response to looming Ukrainian refugee crisis

Rory Stewart has praised Deutsche Bahn’s “extraordinary generosity” in offering free train travel from Poland towards Germany to Ukrainians fleeing the Russian war.

The EU’s director for land transport, Kristian Schmidt, earlier announced the scheme which grants refugees with a Ukrainian passport or identity card free travel on long-distance trains from Poland towards Germany.

Tweeting today, Rory Stewart said: “Extraordinary generosity from Germany – the second time in eight years – it is time that the UK and the US joined the EU and Canada in forming an international refugee coalition to support refugees equitably, justly and fairly.”

Emily Atkinson27 February 2022 12:01

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Refugees Welcome: UK charities back our call for action on refugee crisis after Russian invasion

The Independent has launched a Refugees Welcome campaign, calling on the British government to set up an urgent and properly funded resettlement programme for Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion – and to take the lead in offering a wider package of access and support.

Visit the link below for more details:

Emily Atkinson27 February 2022 11:52

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Brits face economic impact of war in Ukraine, Truss says

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has said that the war in Ukraine will deliver an economic blow to Britain but that it was a price the country had to be prepared to pay.

Speaking to Sky News’s Trevor Phillips, Ms Truss said: “If we don’t stop Putin in Ukraine we are going to see others under threat – the Baltics, Poland, Moldova, and it could end up in a conflict with Nato.

“That is why it is so important we make the sacrifices now.

“Yes, there will be an economic cost here in Britain, there will be a cost in terms of access to oil and gas markets. I firmly believe that the British public understand the price we will pay if we don’t stand up to Putin now.”

Liz Truss says there will be ‘economic cost’ from the sanctions placed on Russia

Emily Atkinson27 February 2022 11:32

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Ukraine war: Snake Island soldiers who told Russian warship ‘go f**k yourself’ might still be alive

A group of Ukrainian soldiers thought to have died while defending a small island in the Black Sea after telling a Russian warship “go f**k yourself” might still be alive, officials have said.

An earlier statement by Ukraine suggested they were then killed by air and sea strikes – which Russia denied, saying the troops surrendered. Ukraine’s interior ministry said the audio recording was authentic, adding that the presumed-dead soldiers would be given military honours.

However, on Saturday the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGSU) said: “We [have a] strong belief that all Ukrainian defenders of Zmiinyi (Snake) Island may be alive.

“Preliminary information that border guards may be dead came before the defenders lost contact.

“We sincerely hope that the boys will return home as soon as possible. Glory to Ukrainian defenders!”

My colleague Matt Mathers has more:

Emily Atkinson27 February 2022 10:57

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Sadiq Khan calls on government to provide safe routes for Ukrainians seeking sanctuary in UK

London’s mayor has condemned the UK government for not waiving visa restrictions for Ukrainians fleeing the Russian conflict.

Tweeting today, Sadiq Khan said: “Let’s be absolutely clear: Ukrainian civilians looking for refuge should not be filling out complicated visa applications when they are fleeing a war zone.

“London has a long history of giving asylum to those in need.

“The government must urgently provide safe routes for sanctuary.”

Emily Atkinson27 February 2022 10:50

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Watch: Liz Truss says war could last years but may be ‘beginning of end’ for Vladimir Putin

Liz Truss says war could last years but may be ‘beginning of end’ for Vladimir Putin

Emily Atkinson27 February 2022 10:29

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Liz Truss says UK ‘urgently’ considering what more can be done to facilitate Ukrainian refugees

The government is “urgently” looking at what more it can do to enable refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine to come to the UK, Liz Truss has said.

It follows ferocious criticism over the Home Office’s failure so far to relax the visa requirements for Ukrainian nationals.

Ms Truss told the BBC’s Sunday Morning programme: “It is a desperate situation.

“Of course, Britain has always welcomed refugees fleeing from war and we are urgently looking at what more we can do to facilitate that.”

Ms Truss said the UK and other Western allies would continue to impose fresh sanctions on Moscow.

“We need to stop Putin’s ambitions in Ukraine. There are dire consequences if we don’t for freedom and democracy across Europe,” she said.

“We will continue to tighten the ratchet on Vladimir Putin, to tighten the ratchet on the economy.”

Emily Atkinson27 February 2022 10:23

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-latest-news-uk-economic-sanctions-b2024251.html

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