A Russian invasion would be a huge mistake, Johnson and Zelensky emphasize in a joint statement

Britain and Ukraine warned today that a Russian invasion would be a huge mistake, pledging to work together to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

The governments of the two countries issued a joint statement following a meeting in Kiev between British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “The two leaders warned that any further Russian invasion of Ukraine would be a huge strategic mistake and would have significant humanitarian costs,” the joint statement said.

– Johnson: Putin “has put the pistol in the temple” of Ukraine –

Russian President Vladimir Putin has “put the gun to his head” in Ukraine, in an effort to impose a change in the architecture of European security, said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, stressing that he was not exaggerating about the Russian threat.

“It is a clear and immediate danger. We are seeing an accumulation of large numbers of troops, we are seeing preparations for any kind of operation that is in line with an impending military campaign,” Johnson said, adding that he would hold talks with Putin on Wednesday.

“It’s all about the architecture of European security. Do not have any doubt about what I think President Putin is trying to achieve here. I think he is trying to force us to change the way “We are dealing with European security,” he said.

“A further Russian invasion of Ukraine would be a political catastrophe, a humanitarian catastrophe, and in my view it would also be a military catastrophe for Russia and the world,” he said.

– Zelensky: Conflict with Russia would mean widespread war in Europe –

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today that a military conflict with Russia would not only involve Ukraine but would lead to a large-scale war in Europe.

In a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Kiev, Zelensky said, among other things, that no one could predict what could follow in Ukraine’s confrontation with Russia.

He noted that Ukraine had taken a responsible approach to the Minsk agreement to end the war in eastern Ukraine, but later disagreed with Russia on how to implement what had been agreed.

Russia, which annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014 and backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, has rallied tens of thousands of troops along the two countries’ borders, raising fears that it plans to attack its neighbor.

Source: AMPE