Boris Johnson has condemned Vladimir Putin’s “hideous and barbaric” invasion of Ukraine.
With reports of missile strikes and fatalities on the ground in Ukraine, the British Prime Minister said “we cannot and will not just look away”.
In a televised address to the UK, broadcast at midday, the Prime Minister accepted the gravity of a war in European nation and said “our worst fears have come true”.
He pledged that the UK and allies “will agree a massive package of economic sanctions designed in time to hobble the Russian economy” but did not outline details in a pre-recorded three-minute address.
The Prime Minister will address the Commons later on Thursday after a meeting of G7 leaders amid criticism that the UK has not done enough and with calls from some Tory MPs for Nato to become militarily involved in the conflict.
Western leaders have ruled out direct involvement but Johnson told the people of the Ukraine that the UK would stand with them in a crisis that could go on for many months.
He said: “We are joined in our outrage by friends and allies around the world. We will work with them, for however long it takes, to ensure that the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine is restored.”
“Because this act of wanton and reckless aggression is an attack not just on Ukraine. It is an attack on democracy and freedom in East Europe and around the world.”
“This crisis is about the right of a free, sovereign independent European people to choose their own future and that is a right that the UK will always defend.”
Johnson added: “Ukraine is a country that for decades has enjoyed freedom and democracy and the right to choose its own destiny
"We – and the world – cannot allow that freedom just to be snuffed out. We cannot and will not just look away.”
In his televised statement, Johnson Putin's regime as a 'pariah' on the Russian people.
He added: “And I say to the Ukrainians in this moment of agony - we are with you, we are praying for you and your families and we are on your side."
“And if the months ahead are grim, and the flame of freedom burns low I know that it will blaze bright again in Ukraine.”
Russian troops started attacking Ukraine from around 5am local time from Belarus in the north, Russia in the east and annexed Crimea in the south, according to Ukrainian border guards.
The Ukrainian capital of Kiev was rocked by explosions, believed to an attack on the military airport on the outskirts, and other major cities were also under attack.
In other developments:
- Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has condemned the Russian invasion as a “blatant violation” of international law but made it clear Nato forces would not become involved in Ukraine.
- Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on citizens who were ready to defend the country to come forward, saying Kyiv would issue weapons to everyone who wants them. Ukraine’s foreign ministry said that Russian troops are suffering losses.
- Foreign Secretary Liz Truss summoned the Russian ambassador to explain Russia’s “illegal, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine” and said the UK would be “imposing severe sanctions”.
-
- Former Cabinet minister David Davis called for Nato allies to provide air support to the Ukrainian army. The senior Tory MP tweeted: “If Nato does not act now, Ukraine will be defeated in a matter of days.”
