Putin might try to ‘twist the knife’ in Ukraine, warns Boris Johnson

The PM issued the warning to Cabinet colleagues amid reports that the Russian president’s invasion plan remained largely stalled

Vladimir Putin may seek to “twist the knife” to wreak more death and destruction on Ukraine, Boris Johnson warned on Tuesday.

He issued the warning to Cabinet colleagues amid reports that the Russian president’s invasion plan remained largely stalled, with Ukrainian forces seizing back some territory near Kyiv.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “He updated Cabinet on the situation in Ukraine.

“He said the Kremlin continued to fail in making significant advances but that Putin could still seek to twist the knife by inflicting further damage to the country.”

Mr Johnson stressed that a ceasefire alone would not lead to the UK lifting its sanctions against Russia.

He said the pressure on Mr Putin had to be increased through further economic measures and providing military aid to Ukraine so Russia “changes course completely”.

The comments came hours after British defence chiefs said Russian forces had been pushed back from a “number of positions” near Kyiv.

A view shows an armoured convoy of pro-Russian troops near the besieged city of Mariupol
An armoured convoy of pro-Russian troops near the besieged city of Mariupol on Monday
REUTERS

However, they warned that the Russian president’s forces still posed a “significant threat” to the capital from their “strike capability”.

Despite renewed Russian efforts to seize the besieged city of Mariupol in the south of the country, it remained under Ukrainian control.

In other parts of Ukraine, Mr Putin’s forces were attempting to “reorganise and reset”.

In its latest intelligence briefing, the Ministry of Defence said: “Ukrainian Forces have continued to conduct localised counter attacks to the north west of Kyiv - including at Irpen, Bucha and Hostomel. These attacks have had some success and the Russians have been pushed back from a number of positions.

“However, Russia still poses a significant threat to the city through their strike capability.”

The defence chiefs added: “Russian Forces have maintained their offensive on Mariupul with continuous heavy shelling of the city, however the centre of the city remains under Ukrainian control.

“Elsewhere, Russian Forces are maintaining blocking positions while attempting to reorganise and reset their forces.”

As Mr Putin’s troops were forced into localised retreats, Kyiv Mayor Klitschko said: “We have destroyed the myth of the invincible Russian army.”

BESTPIX- TOPSHOT-UKRAINE-RUSSIA-CONFLICT
A Ukrainian soldier stands guard at a checkpoint in the outskirt of Kyiv on Monday
AFP via Getty Images

Ukrainian military units also appeared to be gaining more ground.

Kyiv Independent defence reporter tweeted on Tuesday: “Following the liberation of Irpin, it looks like Ukrainian forces have made new advancements west of Kyiv pushing Russians off the E40/M-06 Zhytomyr Highway.

“Tow(n) s of Motyzhyn, Kapytanivka, Lisne, Dmytrivka have been taken back and cleaned up.”

Air raid sirens sounded across Ukraine before dawn on Tuesday as Ukrainian and Russian negotiators prepared to meet in Turkey for face-to-face talks, with Kyiv seeking a ceasefire without compromising on territory or sovereignty.

Mr Putin’s forces were continuing missile and bomb strikes in an attempt to completely destroy infrastructure and residential areas of Ukrainian cities, said Ukraine military general staff.

Russia said it destroyed large ammunition depots in the Zhytomyr region and hit 41 Ukrainian military sites in the past 24 hours.

A US official said the eastern town of Trostyanets, south of Sumy, was back in Ukrainian hands.

Ahead of the peace talks, where hopes were low of a breakthough, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba said: “We are not trading people, land or sovereignty.”

Thousands of civilians, possibly tens of thousands, are feared to have been killed since Mr Putin’s invasion started on February 24.

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