Boris Johnson warns struggle is looming in Europe as Russian bullies slap down Britain’s peace efforts

BORIS Johnson final night time warned struggle was looming in Europe — as Russian bullies greeted Britain’s peace efforts with abuse.

The PM mentioned the continent stands on the “most harmful level” since World Conflict Two owing to Vladimir Putin’s build-up of troops and tanks threatening Ukraine.

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And after flying to Poland, which borders Ukraine, he appeared to check the Russian chief to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler.

In a dismal evaluation, Mr Johnson mentioned: “We stand on the sting of a precipice and issues are as harmful as I’ve seen them in Europe for a really, very very long time.

“The lesson of the final 100 years is that when Poland is threatened with instability, or aggression on the borders of Poland, then we’re all threatened and we’re all affected.”

In the meantime International Secretary Liz Truss’s diplomatic push in Moscow resulted in a bad-tempered stand-off with counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

He tried to embarrass Ms Truss by showing to stroll out of a press convention.

He left her on the podium alone as he shot off after their joint handle.

He had sneered that ongoing talks to carry Russia again from the brink of battle had been like a “comedy”, including: “It’s like talking to a deaf individual, as if we pay attention to one another however we don’t hear. Our detailed explanations fell on unprepared soil.”

And sneakily setting a lure, he requested Ms Truss: “You recognise Russia’s sovereignty over Rostov and Voronezh areas, don’t you?”

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In accordance with Russian media, Ms Truss mentioned the UK would by no means recognise Russian sovereignty over the areas — earlier than the British ambassador advised her the areas had been in Russia and never Ukraine.

Lavrov additionally mentioned there was no proof of Russian involvement within the 2018 Salisbury poisonings which prompted UK-Russia relations to nosedive to a brand new low.

Within the first face-to-face talks in 4 years, Ms Truss insisted Russia should step again from the brink and dial down Chilly Conflict blackmail techniques.

However pro-Kremlin TV host Vladimir Solovyov accused her of “behaving within the traditional British colonial model”.

A supply near the International Secretary hit again, saying: “His weird jibes simply confirmed Liz was robust, punchy and never keen to yield to the Kremlin. Britain stands full sq. behind Ukraine.”

Earlier, with half of all Russia’s fight troops now mentioned to be massing at Ukraine’s borders, Ms Truss had attended a ceremony at Moscow’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

In Poland, Mr Johnson, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Nato chiefs and the Polish PM, urged Putin to keep away from a “pointless, tragic” battle.

However admitting the outlook was now grim, he admitted: “That is in all probability probably the most harmful second,

“I might say in the midst of the following few days, in what’s the greatest safety disaster that Europe has confronted for many years.

“We’ve acquired to get it proper. The stakes are very excessive.”

HIGH STAKES

Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg added: “The variety of Russian forces goes up.

“The warning time for a doable assault goes down — we should be ready for the worst.”

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace is braced for extra bruising talks as he headed to Moscow final night time.

He mentioned Putin had ordered a nuclear strategic train to go forward in days

And he admitted: “Regardless of the speaking, the course of journey is within the incorrect course.”

A thousand British troops at the moment are on standby for an invasion on high of the 350 Royal Marines on their option to Poland for joint Arctic warfare drills.

The UK has additionally provided to ship warships and RAF jets, on high of 900 troops in Estonia as a part of a Nato deterrence mission.

Russia additionally faces monetary penalties, with International Workplace minister James Cleverly confirming legal guidelines for crippling sanctions had been signed in readiness.

However some MPs had been offended there was no vote or debate.

Labour’s Chris Bryant mentioned: “It’s autocratic.”

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