Good morning. On the weekend Russia launched a missile assault on a navy base in western Ukraine lower than 15 miles from the border with Poland. The strike has heightened fears of the battle escalating, and this morning Sajid Javid, the well being secretary and the minister giving interviews on behalf of the federal government this morning, stated that if a “single Russian toecap” have been to step on Nato territory, that might be thought of an act of warfare. He informed the Right this moment programme this morning:
We’ve made it very clear to the Russians even earlier than the beginning of this battle. Even when a single Russian toecap steps into Nato territory, then it is going to be thought of an act of warfare.
However Javid additionally stated he thought a Russian assault on Nato territory was “impossible”.
Not for the primary time, the UK authorities’s messaging dovetails with Washington’s. That is what President Biden stated on Twitter on the finish of final week.
President Biden
(@POTUS)I need to be clear: We are going to defend each inch of NATO territory with the total would possibly of a united and galvanized NATO.
However we won’t struggle a warfare in opposition to Russia in Ukraine.
A direct confrontation between NATO and Russia is World Battle III. And one thing we should attempt to stop.
I’ll submit extra from Javid’s interviews shortly.
Right here is the agenda for the day.
11.30am: Downing Avenue holds a foyer briefing.
3.15pm: Tony Danker, director common of the CBI, and different specialists give proof to the Commons Treasury committee about sanctions in opposition to Russia.
After 3.30pm: Michael Gove, the levelling up secretary, makes an announcement to MPs in regards to the Properties for Ukraine programme.
4pm: Officers concerned within the Palace of Westminster restoration and renewal venture give proof to the Commons public accounts committee.
Additionally at present Boris Johnson is assembly fellow leaders from international locations contributing to the Joint Expeditionary Drive, the north European safety coalition (Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and the UK).
And Dominic Raab, the justice secretary and deputy PM, is travelling to The Hague at present to supply assist to the worldwide legal courtroom in gathering proof to assist warfare crimes prosecutions in opposition to Russians who’ve dedicated atrocities in Ukraine.
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