UK PM considers doubling Nato troops to protect European allies

Boris Johnson warns Putin that invasion of Ukraine would result in a 'tragedy' for the continent

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he is considering doubling troop numbers to its European allies to counter the threat from Russia. Reuters.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is considering doubling the number of British troops available to its European allies as a response to the military threat from Russia, the government said on Saturday.

Boris Johnson said the new offer to Nato currently under consideration would “send a clear message to the Kremlin” and that “we will not tolerate their destabilising activity”.

In a statement, Mr Johnson also warned that Putin that choosing the 'path of bloodshed and destruction' would ultimately result in a tragedy for Europe.

In addition to bolstering troop numbers, No 10 said the new plan could involve sending defensive weapons to Estonia.

Downing Street said the possible deployment would “reinforce Nato’s defences and underpin the UK’s support for Nordic and Baltic partners”.

The move comes as the Prime Minister is expected to speak to Russian president Vladimir Putin and travel to the troubled region early this week.

A second trip to meet Nato member counterparts is being planned for early next month, No 10 said.

Mr Johnson has also directed Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace to prepare to go to Moscow for talks with their counterparts in the coming days.

They will be asked to improve relationships with the Russian government and encourage de-escalation, Downing Street said.

The UK already has more than 100 troops providing training in Ukraine as part of Operation Orbital.

There are also 900 British military personnel based in Estonia, and a Light Cavalry Squadron of around 150 people is deployed to Poland, No 10 said.

It comes after Mr Johnson asked defence and security chiefs to consider further defensive military options in Europe during a high-level intelligence briefing on the situation last week.

A Russian soldier attends a military exercise at the Golovenki training ground in the Moscow region, Russia. AP Photo

A member of the 14th Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces takes part in anti-aircraft military drills in the Volyn region, Ukraine. Reuters

People walk past a sign reading 'I Love Ukraine' in the central square in Kiev. EPA

Russian naval frigate 'Admiral Essen' sails during an exercise in the Black Sea. AP

Employees of essential city industries and services attend a military training session outside Lviv, Ukraine. Reuters

Airman 1st Class Olabode Igandan organises ammunition, weapons and other equipment bound for Ukraine during a foreign military sales mission at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. AP

A member of the public waves a Ukrainian flag at a rally attended by soldiers and police in Odessa, Ukraine. Bloomberg

A Ukrainian serviceman patrols the front line near Avdiivka village, not far from the pro-Russian militant-controlled city of Donetsk, Ukraine. EPA

A Belgian Air Force F-16 fighter jet participates in Nato's Baltic Air Policing Mission in Lithuanian airspace. AP

The Prime Minister said: “This package would send a clear message to the Kremlin – we will not tolerate their destabilising activity, and we will always stand with our Nato allies in the face of Russian hostility.

“If President Putin chooses a path of bloodshed and destruction, it will be a tragedy for Europe. Ukraine must be free to choose its own future.

“I have ordered our Armed Forces to prepare to deploy across Europe next week, ensuring we are able to support our Nato allies on land, at sea and in the air.”

The UK Foreign Office is also expected to announce tougher sanctions on Monday, meaning the UK can target Russia’s strategic and financial interests.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss previously said Russia would face “severe sanctions” in the event of an incursion into Ukraine.

“We are already supplying support to Ukraine. We’re supplying defensive weapons. We’re providing economic support,” she told Sky News on Wednesday.

“We are urging Russia to desist from an incursion and we’re making it very clear that if they were to do that there would be severe economic cost to Russia – severe sanctions.”

On what these sanctions could look like, she said: “They would target individuals, they would target financial institutions and they would be co-ordinated with all of our allies across Europe, the United States and others.”

Ms Truss also said the UK was not ruling out support for personal sanctions against Mr Putin in the event of a Russian incursion.

She made the comments after US president Joe Biden suggested moving to penalise the Russian president could be an option in the case of an invasion.

When asked on Tuesday if he could see himself sanctioning Mr Putin in those circumstances, Mr Biden told reporters: “Yes, I would see that.”