By Ben Kerrigan-
Vladimir Putin must lose the war in Ukraine, Foreign Secretary Liz Trust has said , as she announced that Ukraine has entered a “new and different phase”, following a meeting of Nato allies.
Describing more concentrated Russian offensive, Liz Trust said that Nato had agreed to supply new and heavier equipment to Ukraine.
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“Our objective as a United Kingdom remains clear. Putin must lose in Ukraine,” the Foreign Secretary said.
Speaking after the meeting in Brussels, Ms Truss said: “Putin has changed his tactics but not his intent. He wants a hold over the whole of Ukraine.”
Earlier in the day, the Foreign Secretary stated that the UK would be “stepping up” its supply of weapons but has not yet detailed what this would include.
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Ms Trust spoke at Nato in Brussels this morning amid reports that the UK is planning to supply armoured fighting vehicles to Kyiv to push back Vladimir Putin’s forces.
The Ministry of Defence is said to be considering providing reconnaissance or long-range and protective patrol vehicles, such as the Mastiff or Jackal, the Times reported.
‘In the face of Putin’s appalling aggression in Ukraine the G7 and Nato are stepping up our efforts on sanctions and on weapons,’ Ms Truss said at Nato headquarters.
‘The UK is now banning all imports of Russian energy, we are sanctioning more banks and we are stepping up our supply of weapons to Ukraine.
It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK would send another £30m to Poland to help ensure vital supplies reach those fleeing Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin Image: Via Ap
Meeting with his Polish counterpart in Downing Street earlier, he said it was an important moment to launch a “proper thoroughgoing security defence partnership”.
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also said allies were “ready to do more” to provide military equipment but did not go into specifics.
Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, also speaking at the Nato meeting, said help was needed in “days not weeks” if it was to avoid coming too late.
Russia warned that “pumping weapons into Ukraine” will have a “negative effect” on peace talks.
Ukraine is not a part of Nato but has been receiving military aid from its members. More than 30 countries, including the UK, have provided military aid, including €1bn (£800m) from the EU and $1.7bn (£1.3bn) from the US.
So far Western supplies have been limited to arms, ammunition and defensive equipment, such as anti-tank and anti-aircraft missile systems.
Nato members fear that supplying Ukraine with heavier offensive equipment such as tanks and fighter jets could lead to direct open conflict between Russia and the alliance.
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