JAKARTA - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will step up diplomatic efforts amid the Russia-Ukraine border crisis, with a visit to the region next week and a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a bid to avoid bloodshed.
Russia has deployed troops on the Ukrainian border, while Russian President Vladimir Putin said the United States and NATO had not met Moscow's key security demands, although he was prepared to continue talking.
The United States has said Russia now has the capability to act against Ukraine, while PM Johnson has warned of a catastrophe that no one will win if Russia strikes.
Britain has said it would sanction Russia if it carried out an attack on Ukraine, and has urged European allies to prepare for similar moves. PM Johnson's government is expected to announce the tightening of sanctions on Monday.
"The Prime Minister is determined to expedite diplomatic efforts and step up deterrence to avoid bloodshed in Europe," a spokesman from PM Johnson's Office at 10 Downing Street said in a statement.
"He will reiterate the need for Russia to step back and engage diplomatically when he speaks with President Putin this week," the statement continued.
However, PM Johnson's Office did not provide details of when or where the trip would take place.
It is known that Britain has supplied defense weapons and training personnel to Ukraine, although ministers say deploying combat troops is unlikely.
While PM Johnson is considering options including new deployments and strengthening NATO defences, Britain will join UN Security Council discussions to try and resolve the impasse through diplomatic means on Monday.
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