UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has reached Moscow. She will meet Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and will communicate that Russia has to engage in meaningful talks and cease aggression. UK Government has a clear stand on Ukrainian issue, requiring Russia to deescalate the situation and engage in diplomatic measures for a peaceful resolution. UK supports Ukraine sovereignty and its right of self-determination and has made clear that Russia needs to abide by the international treaties signed by it as Kremlin’s current strategy is damaging Russian standing and interests
Earlier UK has proposed to broaden its sanctions regime against Kremlin making it toughest sanctions regime against Russia, marking the biggest change in UK’s approach since leaving the European Union. Proposed new regulations will gives UK Government a wide range of powers for sanctioning broader range of individuals and businesses which are linked to Russia’s strategic interests. New regulations are yet to be placed in Parliament but it is being said by the Government that there will be nowhere to hide.
Liz Truss visit to Moscow will the first by a UK Foreign Secretary in more than four years. Trip will be for 2-days and during this duration Secretary will meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for communicating UK’s expectation from Rusia related to ceasing of Ukrainian aggression and for engaging in meaningful talks. Russia is signatory to various international treaty i.e. Minsk Protocols, OSCE Helsinki Final Act, Budapest memorandum etc for ensuring the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine. She will push for Russia to abide by its commitment to the international treaties.
The UK has been actively spearheading the peace process through diplomatic and deterrence measures. Earlier this month Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Kyiv and met Ukraine President Mr Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Boris Johnson said that UK is committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty, and integrity and announced £88 million funding for building resilience as well as for reducing Ukraine’s reliance on Russian energy supplies.
Before visiting Rusia, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has spoken to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Ukrainian Foreign Minister and Dutch Foreign Minister about the situation in border. Liz Truss said that UK is determined for freedom and democracy in Ukraine and invasion of Ukraine would have massive consequences and incurring of severe costs, including sanctions. She urged Russia to engage and de-escalate through the process of diplomacy.
Recently Boris Johnson also hosted Prime Minister of Lithuania, Mr Ingrida Šimonytė. Both the leaders discussed economic and defence support to Ukraine and also that any invasion in Ukraine would be a disastrous mistake for Russia. Boris Johnson also spoke to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte about the need for Western unity for facing the Russian aggression and also the need of economic sanctions measures for deterring Russia.
Bureau Galactik Views