Boris Johnson to attend Ukraine security conference amid growing fears of Russian invasion
BORIS JOHNSON is set to attend a major security conference with senior Government ministers in Munich amid growing concerns Russia could invade Ukraine, a report suggests
Boris Johnson visits RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire
Speaking at RAF Waddington, Mr Johnson accused Moscow of organising a "false flag operation" as a pretext for an invasion of Ukraine. Russian state media reported on Thursday morning that the Ukrainian military had attacked the breakaway separatist Lugansk People's Republic.
According to PA, reports have indicated shells even hit a nursery school.
However, during a visit to Kiev, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said such reports were "blatant[ly]" put forward by Russia to justify military action.
Mr Johnson warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that he would be "mad" to invade because it would result in a "bloody and protracted conflict".
Speaking at the UN Security Council session, Foreign Office Minister James Cleverly called for Russia to "resolve this situation through peaceful means".
The Braintree MP said: "Upholding the core tenants of the charter in respect of peaceful resolution and respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity has never been more important.
"Russia must now engage with the diplomatic process we have built up over several decades and on which global security depends and resolve this situation through peaceful means."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence has claimed Russia could still invade Ukraine "without further warning".
On her visit to Kiev, Ms Truss insisted that the West must unite against Russian aggression otherwise it could embolden other authoritarian leaders worldwide.
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She described it as a "litmus test" for the West.
Ms Truss also announced a "trilateral partnership" with Ukraine and Poland.
The alliance will allow the three nations to work on "defence and security, sanctions, energy security and countering disinformation".
Mr Johnson is expected to attend the conference alongside Ms Truss and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.
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The Prime Minister also emphasised on Thursday the importance of developing Western unity.
He said: "We are strengthening the eastern frontier of NATO and I'll be going to the European Security Conference in Munich a little bit later on over the weekend to talk about what we are going to do to unify the West."
Both Ms Truss and Mr Wallace are expected to appear on panels at the conference.