Boris Johnson heads to Munich hoping there is ‘still chance to avoid Ukraine bloodshed’

Trip comes as US warns an invasion could come within several days

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will travel to Munich as he seeks a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis. PA

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will tell world leaders during a visit to Germany that there is “still a chance to avoid unnecessary bloodshed” as tension continues to mount between Russia and Ukraine.

Mr Johnson will head to the Munich Security Conference on Saturday to discuss the crisis with his counterparts following his address to the annual summit.

The trip comes as the US warns an invasion of Ukraine could come within “several days”.

Mr Johnson has previously called the situation in Eastern Europe “very grim”, with estimates that 150,000 Russian troops are posted along Ukraine’s borders.

But the Downing Street incumbent stressed before his departure to Bavaria that “diplomacy can still prevail” if western leaders unite to demonstrate to Moscow that it would face a “high price” for any incursion.

He said: “There is still a chance to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, but it will require an overwhelming display of western solidarity beyond anything we have seen in recent history.

“Allies need to speak with one voice to stress to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin the high price he will pay for any further Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“Diplomacy can still prevail.

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  US Vice President Kamala Harris arrives in Munich, southern Germany, where she will attend the Munich Security Conference. AFP

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  German and US flags on a car that will transport Ms Harris from the airport. AFP

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  The question of whether Russia will invade Ukraine is hanging over the conference. AFP

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  Journalists, staff and other attendees queue for Covid-19 tests in Munich on February 17. The conference takes place from February 18 to 20. AFP

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  A drain cover is sealed as part of security measures. EPA

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  A police vehicle in front of the Bayerischer Hof hotel, where the conference will take place. EPA

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  Police officers and a dog patrol in front of the Bayerischer Hof hotel. EPA

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  US Vice President Kamala Harris meets with Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Reuters

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  Mr Guterres addresses the audience at the conference. EPA

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  Designated Munich Security Conference Chairman Christoph Heusgen addresses the crowds. AFP

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  US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during the 58th Munich Security Conference. AP

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  German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, right, waits for the speaker's desk to be cleaned. EPA

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  Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, right, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, Battsetseg Batmunkh. EPA

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  American business magnate Bill Gates. Reuters

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  Ms Harris addresses a multilateral meeting with the Estonian prime minister, the Latvian president and the Lithuanian president. AFP

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  From left: Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Latvian President Egils Levits, Ms Harris and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda. AFP

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  Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi. AFP

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  German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht. EPA

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  Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. EPA

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  Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change, and US special presidential envoy for climate John Kerry. UAE

“That is the message I will take to Munich today as we redouble our efforts to prevent a grave miscalculation which would devastate Ukraine, Russia and the rest of Europe.”

Western allies have been given further cause for concern this week after intelligence reported that 7,000 troops have arrived on the border in recent days, despite the Kremlin insisting it was withdrawing some military presence.

Field hospitals and pontoon bridges have also been spotted close to the divide between the two countries, with increased activity in the separatist-held area of Ukraine, including a strong explosion being reported in the centre of the city of Donetsk on Friday.

Mr Putin has insisted that large-scale military exercises with Belarusian forces close to the Ukrainian border are “purely defensive” and do not represent a threat to any other country.

It comes as the British embassy in Kiev was “temporarily” relocated as international anxiety about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to fester.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has announced that UK officials will “temporarily” relocate from the Ukraine capital to Lviv in the west of the country.

The UK Foreign Office, announcing the decision to move Ukraine-based diplomats to Lviv, near the border with Poland, said in a statement posted on Gov.uk: “The British embassy office in Kiev is temporarily relocating.

“Embassy staff are operating from the British embassy office in Lviv.”

The Foreign Office is also advising “against all but essential travel” to Belarus – a close ally of Russia – and the Transnistria region, an unrecognised breakaway state within Moldova, which both neighbour Ukraine.

British nationals in Ukraine continue to be urged to leave while commercial routes out are still available.