British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged other Western leaders to show unity ahead of talks about the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Ahead of travelling to Germany, where he will give a speech in Munich on Feb. 19, Johnson said an “overwhelming display of Western solidarity” was required.
With around 190,000 Russian troops amassed around Ukraine’s borders, Johnson said Western allies needed to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin “with one voice” to stress “the high price he will pay for any further Russian invasion of Ukraine”.
“There is still a chance to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, but it will require an overwhelming display of Western solidarity beyond anything we have seen in recent history,” he added, noting that that “diplomacy can still prevail” in averting conflict.
The leaders are meeting for an annual security conference.
However, Russia will be absent this year, the first time it has not attended since 1999.
It is not known whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be in attendance.
Other politicians taking part in the three-day conference include German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and US Vice-President Kamala Harris.
Downing Street said Boris Johnson would discuss the Western response with a number of European partners.
