VLADIMIR Putin has been warned of “massive consequences” if he invades Ukraine as Russia masses troops on its neighbour’s border.
US intelligence recently detected 175,000 Russian troops on the border with Ukraine as fears of a potential invasion in early 2022 are mounting.
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Meanwhile, Moscow claimed its fighter jets intercepted a US spy plane that was flying over the Black Sea.
The rising tensions have prompted the G7 group of Western nations – meeting in Liverpool – to issue a warning to Russia.
“Russia should be in no doubt that further military aggression against Ukraine would have massive consequences and severe cost in response,” the group said in statement.
“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the right of any sovereign state to determine its own future.”
Britain’s Defence Secretary Ben Wallace recently said the UK was ready to use force to help defend Ukraine.
Russia has denied that it plans to attack Ukraine and condemned the G7 warning.
“Russia has made numerous offers to NATO on ways to decrease tensions,” its UK embassy said.
“The G7 forum could be an opportunity to discuss them, but so far we hear nothing but aggressive slogans.”
Kiev’s allies have always pledged to support them, but intervening against Russia could risk spiralling into a conflict that could explode into World War 3.
Russia has been demanded Ukraine not join NATO and raged that the US must stop all military activity in the region.
A US senator has warned America could “rain destruction” on Russia with nuclear weapons if Putin invades Ukraine.
That promoted Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, to say Joe Biden is pushing his nation to the brink of nuclear war.
Ryabkov’s warning comes after Biden held a high-stakes call with Vladimir Putin as tensions between Washington and Moscow intensify over Ukraine.
The two-hour call between the leaders was held in a bid to de-escalate tensions – with the US President threatening sanctions over the situation at Russia’s border.
What is happening between Russia and Ukraine?
RUSSIA and the Ukraine have remained technically at war since 2014
Ukraine was aligned with Russia as part of the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991, following which it became an independent state.
Both nations remained closely tied – but Ukraine gradually began to distance itself, seeking deeper ties with the West.
The open conflict was triggered by the Ukrainian Revolution in 2014 – when an uprising overthrew the pro-Russian government of Viktor Yanukovych.
Vladimir Putin’s forces reacted by annexing the region of Crimea from Ukraine – a move which was widely condemned by the West.
The conflict then spiralled when pro-Russian groups in Eastern Ukraine then took up arms against the state.
Russia gave their backing the separatist forces which formed breakaway republics in Donetsk and Luhansk.
Putin’s forces then launched a military incursion into these regions as they gave their support to the rebels.
Russia continues to hold Crimea – and claims the region joined them willingly after they a referendum.
Seven years have now passed and the War in Donbass remains at a stalemate.
It is estimated some 14,000 have been killed in the conflict, including more than 3,0o0 civilians.
Ukraine and the rebels signed a new ceasefire in July 2020 – but clashes have been steadily increasing again throughout 2021.
According to US officials, Biden told Putin there would be “clear and decisive” consequences in case of an invasion.
Meanwhile one of Putin’s general has warned Russia’s nuke launchers and hypersonic missiles are “ready for action” – further fuelling fears of an invasion of Ukraine.
Chief of General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov said more than 95 per cent of Moscow’s ground-based strategic nuclear forces are “kept in constant readiness for combat use”.
He also warned that Russia “is ready to combat any provocations by Ukraine in Donbas” during a briefing on Thursday with military ambassadors of foreign states.
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