BRITAIN will “inflict pain” on Vladimir Putin and his “appalling regime” over the invasion of Ukraine, Liz Truss vowed today.
The foreign secretary said the “toughest sanctions regime we’ve ever put in place” will bite hard on the Russian economy.
She defended the UK’s response to Russian aggression after it was criticised by Tory MPs for being too weak.
But she conceded the measures will likely have little effect on the Kremlin’s thinking and an attack is “very likely”.
She suggested that Putin has already made up his mind and will send in troops and tanks “in all circumstances”.
And she warned the “autocratic” Moscow chief “won’t stop at Ukraine” as he seeks to rebuild the old Soviet empire.
Ms Truss accused the “dictatorial” Russian leader of trying to “turn the clock back to the 90s and subjugate Eastern Europe”.
And she warned the West will “ratchet up” punitive measures against Moscow if he goes ahead with a full on attack.
She said: “We are very much expecting a full-scale invasion of the Ukraine. We think it highly likely he’ll follow through on his plan.
“What has become very clear over the last weeks and months is they’re simply not interested in diplomacy.
“They’re simply not interested in finding any kind of resolution to this conflict.
“Vladimir Putin has stated very clearly that he won’t stop at Ukraine.
“That he wants to see Latvia, Lithuania, other countries in Eastern Europe brought back into the Russian sphere of influence.”
But she also said it was still “unclear” whether Russian troops have actually entered Ukraine yet or if that’s more disinformation.
Putin announced he’s sent soldiers in under guise of “peace-keepers” but the foreign sec said there’s no “verifiable” evidence yet.
Ms Truss defended the UK’s sanctions package yesterday after No 10 was accused of not going far enough.
The PM unveiled measures against five banks and three top oligarchs, plus a ban on trade with the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Ministers say the Russian Government will also be stopped from raising cash in the City of London if it doesn’t immediately “de-escalate”.
But top Tories including ex leader Iain Duncan Smith said the Government should’ve hit Moscow harder.
The foreign sec argued she needed to “retain some sanctions in the locker” for the “likely event” of a full invasion.
She added “nothing is off the table” if that happens and vowed: “we will inflict even more pain and we will not let Putin win.”
Ms Truss said ministers won’t shy away from targeting more high-powered Russians in future.
Asked if Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich could be amongst those sanctioned, she replied: “Nothing is off the table.
“We have more individuals we will target in the event of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”
She said Russians who have donated cash to the Tory Party could also find themselves in the cross-hairs.
And she insisted: I make my decisions on the basis of what is right.
“Without prejudice we will target anybody who is of interest, who is helping prop up Vladimir Putin’s appalling regime.
“There are no other considerations as far as I’m concerned.”
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The foreign secretary also said the Champions League final should be switched from St Petersburg to further punish Russia.
She warned it would be “completely wrong” for Russia to host the match and urged British clubs to boycott it if it isn’t moved.
And she also suggested “propaganda” channel RT should have its broadcasting licence reviewed by independent regulator Ofcom.
Russia as completely “encircled” Ukraine with more than 150,000 troops as Putin looks set to strike the country.
Moscow’s forces have been stockpiling blood and medical supplies near the border as the Kremlin eyes up an invasion.
Tanks and trucks have been on the move, fuelling fears the city of Kharkiv, the second largest in Ukraine, could be in its sights.
Joe Biden has ordered US troops, jets and helicopters to Eastern Europe in response to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of rebel-held Ukraine.
The US president said he would continue to provide “defensive assistance” to Ukraine as he sent additional forces to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Mr Biden was speaking as a huge column of around 100 military vehicles was seen in the Belgorod area, over the border from Krarkiv, raising fears Russia won’t stop at in the rebel areas.
Tanks were also seen reinforcing the two rebel held areas.
And here at home there are fears bread and fuel prices could soar if Russian tanks roll into all of Ukraine.
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