JAKARTA - British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss defended her decision to hold talks in Moscow, Russia with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, insisting she must deliver a clear message to Russia.
Talks between Foreign Minister Truss and Foreign Minister Lavrov last week were tense, ending in an awkward press conference, in which the Russian Foreign Minister appeared to question his understanding of the crisis.
"Of course, Russia doesn't like what I have to say, but I have to convey a message to the government of Vladimir Putin," said Foreign Minister Truss, according to The National News February 15.
"I went to Russia to convey a very clear message, that it is Russia who is the aggressor. They have 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border and if they launch an attack on Ukraine, it will have a bad impact on the Russian people and the Russian Government," he stressed.
"Of course, the Russians don't like what I say, but I say it anyway. And I want them to stop, I want them to realize that there will be huge costs of an invasion."
Foreign Minister Lavrov described the meeting as "a conversation between the deaf and the mute", claiming Foreign Minister Truss was not listening to Russia's position, while Britain was not ready for talks.
Separately, the UK Prime Minister's Office at No. 10 Downing Street insisted breakthroughs were not expected at the talks and "no one should be under any illusions about what can be achieved in one meeting".
"This is an important opportunity to share our understanding of the situation and hear directly from Russia about their position as well," said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's official spokesman.
"We will continue to explore all opportunities to take diplomatic paths and we are ready for further discussions with our Russian counterparts at all levels in the interests of de-escalation of this crisis."
“I don't think anyone is under any illusions about what can be achieved in one encounter. But it is very important that we take all these opportunities and continue to convey this message about how further aggression will be responded to, so that Russia cannot doubt our position and the position of our NATO allies."
Earlier on Monday Foreign Minister Truss said Russian President Vladimir Putin could launch an invasion of Ukraine "soon". Meanwhile, PM Johnson warned the same day an invasion could occur within 48 hours as he urged President Putin to step back from "the brink".
Foreign Secretary Truss, who chaired the government's Cobra emergency committee meeting, urged Britons to leave Ukraine via commercial routes while they still could because of the risk of an "imminent Russian invasion".
Russia has accused Britain and the US of carrying out a propaganda campaign and has insisted it is ready to resume talks.
PM Johnson, who received a briefing on the latest intelligence from Britain's spy chief, cut short a planned visit to northern England to preside over Tuesday's Cobra meeting.
"This is a very, very dangerous, difficult situation. We are on the brink but there is still time for President Putin to step down," PM Johnson said during a visit to the Rosyth shipyard in Scotland.
He called for more dialogue and urged Russia to avoid a 'catastrophic' invasion.
Meanwhile, reports based on US intelligence assessments have suggested an invasion could be launched as soon as Wednesday.
"The signs, as you've heard from President Biden, are that they're at least planning something that can happen as early as the next 48 hours. That's a lot," said PM Johnson.
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