UK fears Russian invasion is 'highly likely' despite talks to avert war

     

The defence secretary has warned it is "highly likely" that Vladimir Putin will order an attack on Ukraine, despite ongoing talks to avert a war.    
Ben Wallace also said there is a "whiff of Munich in the air" - an apparent reference to the agreement that allowed the German annexation of the Sudetenland in 1938, but failed to prevent the Second World War.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, he warned that Russia has amassed 130,000 troops and heavy firepower along Ukraine’s border, meaning Moscow could "launch an offensive at any time".

Mr Wallace added: "It may be that [Putin] just switches off his tanks and we all go home but there is a whiff of Munich in the air from some in the West."

And he warned that it was "worrying" that Russia's military build-up has continued despite high-level diplomatic talks increasing - prompting fears that the Kremlin is intent on invading Ukraine come what may.

Biden warns Putin in hour-long phone call

    

                                              

On Saturday, US President Joe Biden spoke to his Russian counterpart Mr Putin for over an hour - warning America and its allies will "respond decisively" if there is an invasion.

Talks have gained a sense of urgency after US intelligence suggested that the Kremlin could take action before the end of the Winter Olympics in Beijing on 20 February - far sooner than analysts had expected.

The Russian president told Mr Biden that Washington's response to Moscow's security demands had not taken into account key concerns, and the West had not put enough pressure on Ukraine to abide by the Minsk agreements.

A senior official in the White House described the call as professional and substantive, but that there was no fundamental change.

-Sky News