UK, other NATO members will respond strongly to Russia's further aggression toward Ukraine - Truss

According to Ukrinform, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss wrote this in an article for the European Pravda news site.

She recalled that the United Kingdom and Ukraine will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations on December 31.

Truss said that relations between the two countries have never been stronger than they are now. Britain and its allies are on the side of Ukraine amid Russia's unprovoked and unexplained troop build-up in Ukraine and along its borders, she said.

Truss noted that the United Kingdom does not accept Russia's campaign to undermine its democratic neighbors.

She said she told the Russian authorities that they must immediately stop their destabilizing actions, respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and negotiate seriously. Truss vowed to continue to put pressure on Russia in an attempt to reduce tensions and stop its aggressive behavior.

She also noted that Britain had taken advantage of the G7 presidency and worked through NATO channels to urge Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine in line with its international commitments.

Truss said the United Kingdom and other NATO members have made it clear that any further military invasion of Ukraine will be an extraordinary strategic mistake. She said they would respond strongly to any such move, including by imposing coordinated sanctions that will seriously damage Russia's interests and economy. Truss said the UK and other NATO members were closely monitoring Russia's efforts to create a pretext for the conflict by making false accusations against Ukraine or NATO of provocations that have nothing to do with reality.

Finally, she said that the United Kingdom and Ukraine would continue to stand side by side with unwavering belief in freedom and democracy.

op