West prepares sanctions on Russia over Ukraine

Boris Johnson has talked to Joe Biden and other Western leaders about agreeing to a package of sanctions against Russia should it ­invade Ukraine.

British Prime Minister spoke with Western leaders on Monday about a package of sanctions against Russia. Picture: Getty Images

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has talked to US President Joe Biden and other Western leaders about agreeing to a package of sanctions against Russia should it ­invade Ukraine.

Mr Johnson joined the leaders of Germany, France and Italy to form a joint strategy “to ­impose significant and severe harm on the Russian economy” before Mr Biden’s high-stakes phone call with President Vladimir Putin early Wednesday morning AEDT.

Measures being considered by NATO leaders include cutting off Russia from the international financial settlement system, and restrictions on banks similar to those that crippled the Iranian economy over nuclear non-compliance.

Mr Biden is also expected to warn that the US would agree to deploy “additional forces and capabilities” to eastern Europe in response to any incursion. However, officials made it clear that the President would not threaten a direct US military response.

The White House fears that Mr Putin believes he has a ­moment of opportunity to act because he sees the US and UK focusing on the pandemic, France in the throes of an election and Germany changing leader.

Fears have been raised of an invasion in the new year after satellite images showed a build-up of Russian troops that could reach 175,000, according to US security analysts. Moscow denies any bellicose intentions and accuses the West of provocation, particularly with military exercises in the Black Sea.

Downing Street said that Monday night’s conference call had been ­requested by the US administration and declined to provide ­details of the discussion.

Mr Johnson is expected, however, to back calls for a robust ­response.

Last month he suggested ­Europe had not done enough to contain Russia and called on Germany to reconsider its backing for the Nord Stream pipeline, which lets Russia send gas to western Europe without going through Ukraine.

THE TIMES, AFP