Britain has reservations about Russia’s promises of a ceasefire

Britain is skeptical of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s promises, Deputy Prime Minister Dominique Raab said on Sunday when asked if he believed a temporary ceasefire in parts of Ukraine could last.

“I am very skeptical of any assurances or commitments made by President Putin,” Raab told the BBC.

British Deputy Prime Minister Dominique Raab also described the debate over Russia’s threat to use nuclear weapons during its invasion of Ukraine as a “dangerous game” and rejected a statement by the Russian president that likened Western sanctions to a declaration of Western sanctions.

“I think it’s rhetorical and bra de fer,” Raab told Sky News when asked about a possible nuclear escalation by the Kremlin.

“(Putin) has a long history of misinformation and propaganda, this is a distraction from the real issues that exist – which is that this is an illegal invasion that does not go according to plan,” Raab said.

He rejected Putin’s statement yesterday, which likened Western sanctions to a declaration of war.

“Sanctions are not an act of war, international law is very clear about that,” he said. “Our sanctions are absolutely and legally justified, but also proportionate to what we are trying to deal with.”

He also called on China and India to help increase diplomatic pressure on Russia.

“China has a job to do here. It must also step up its efforts, it is a permanent member of the Security Council and so must India. We must step up diplomatic pressure,” Raab said.