Putin’s forces take Chernobyl after brutal battle as war breaks out in Europe

Prime Minister: Putin’s barbaric mission ‘must end in failure’

Earlier today, Boris Johnson announced that Britain “cannot and will not turn away” from Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and pledged to stand in solidarity with allies to respond with a colossal package of sanctions designed to “make it difficult for the Russian economy”.

In a televised statement at midday on Thursday, the Prime Minister said the world could not stand by and allow Ukraine’s freedoms to be “squeezed to death”, as Moscow attacked its neighbor with a military strike. attack on a large scale, targeting cities and bases with air strikes. or shelling.

Mr Johnson said from Downing Street: “This unruly and reckless act is an attack not just on Ukraine, but an attack on democracy and freedom in Eastern Europe and around the world.

The Prime Minister criticized the Russian President for “starting a war in our continent of Europe”, attacking Ukraine “without any provocation and without any credible pretext”.

Mr Johnson, who had previously chaired an emergency meeting of the Cobra committee, said: “Innumerable rockets and bombs were dropped on completely innocent people.

“A vast invasion is underway by land, sea and air. We and the world cannot allow that freedom to be lost. We cannot and will not turn our backs.

“Today together with our allies, we will agree to a massive package of economic sanctions that are well-timed to make it difficult for the Russian economy. Diplomatic, political, economic and in the end, militarily, this barbaric and heinous venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure.”