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LONDON — Ukraine might descend right into a “quagmire” just like the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan until Moscow abandons plans for a navy incursion there, Britain’s overseas secretary is about to warn.
In a speech in Australia Friday, Liz Truss will name on Russian President Vladimir Putin to interact in “significant discussions” and “desist and step again from Ukraine earlier than he makes a large strategic mistake,” in line with extracts launched upfront by her workplace.
As many as 100,000 Russian troops stay on the Ukrainian border, regardless of warnings from U.S. President Joe Biden and European leaders of great penalties within the occasion of an invasion. Moscow has additionally begun transferring troops to Belarus, Ukraine’s northern neighbor, for joint navy workouts.
In an indication of the growing sense of urgency amongst Western nations, the U.Ok. is supplying Ukraine with anti-tank weapons, and the U.S. has given the go-ahead for 3 NATO allies — Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania — to hurry anti-armor missiles and different U.S.-made weapons to Ukraine.
In her speech, Britain’s overseas secretary will argue that the “Kremlin has not realized the teachings of historical past” and warned {that a} Russian incursion would drag Moscow into a chronic battle akin to the Soviet battle waged in Afghanistan throughout the Eighties.
“Invasion will solely result in a horrible quagmire and lack of life, as we all know from the Soviet-Afghan battle and battle in Chechnya,” she mentioned.
Truss is visiting Australia to forge nearer protection, diplomatic, expertise and financial hyperlinks with a view to assist Britain counter Russia and China, two international locations “emboldened in a means we haven’t seen for the reason that Chilly Warfare,” she mentioned.
“Threats to freedom, democracy and the rule of regulation usually are not simply regional — they’re international. And so we should reply collectively,” Truss is predicted to inform the Lowy Institute in Sydney. “We have to work with companions like Australia, Israel, India, Japan, Indonesia and extra. By constructing nearer ties with our associates and drawing different international locations nearer to the orbit of free-market democracies, will finally make us all safer and freer within the years to return.”
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