LONDON (Parliament Politics Magazine) – According to Mr Johnson, NATO agreed that any country should have the freedom to develop its own security partnerships.
“We must oppose any return to the fates of nations being decided by other powers,” he says. And, according to the PM, “this wasn’t only about Russia,” but about respecting the alliance’s core ideals, which have delivered prosperity and peace to the world.
He goes on to say that the United Kingdom has the largest defence budget in Europe and the second largest in the world.
Mr Stoltenberg and the PM have agreed on a new package of support for NATO partners, including extra planes and troops, according to the PM.
“We can find a way through this problem,” Mr Johnson adds, if we keep a firm grip on the NATO ideals and “strong deterrent diplomacy.”
He says that the stakes are enormous and that this is risky.
‘The biggest security crisis Europe has faced in decades’
When asked about sanctions and Germany by a Sky News correspondent, Mr Johnson says he does not believe a decision has been made in Moscow, but he does not rule out the possibility of something “absolutely disastrous” happening very soon.
He believes the situation is still bleak, with more Russian troops massing on Ukraine’s border.
“This is probably the most dangerous moment in what is the biggest security crisis Europe has faced in decades,” he argues.
This needs to be done right.
He believes sanctions, diplomacy and military resolve will be effective.
The PM also believes Germany is working to discourage Russia and that NATO countries are cooperating well.
While NATO’s military presence in eastern Europe is growing, Mr Johnson believes that dialogue with Moscow is still important.
“I simply can’t say whether we’ll be successful,” he continues.
Mr. Stoltenberg claims that NATO is united in its opposition to Russia, and that, in terms of diplomatic efforts, all allies believe that the situation must be resolved peacefully.
‘The Ukrainians are adequately equipped, but there would be significant bloodshed if Russia invaded,’ says Boris JohnsonBoris Johnson is asked by Laura Kuenssberg of the BBC if he would resign if he was found to have broken the rules of lockdown.
She also inquires about the UK’s future support for Ukraine.
Before he can comment on whether or not he would retire, Mr Johnson says the Met Police inquiry must be concluded.
In terms of Ukraine, he claims that the UK has been assisting in the training of the Ukrainian army since 2014, as well as sending military supplies.
The Ukrainians are well prepared, he continued, and there are items the UK has supplied but they don’t appear to need since they have them in sufficient numbers.
At the time, it is believed that the package is appropriate.
If it came to that, it would be a complete tragedy. On Ukrainian land, there would be a lot of carnage.
He goes on to say that it would be terrible and extremely expensive for Russia.
Mr Johnson claims that NATO isn’t an aggressive or threatening alliance, but rather a defensive alliance that has kept the peace for so long.
He believes there is a way forward, but Russia must de-escalate the threats and engage in dialogue.
Jens Stoltenberg reiterates Prime Minister May’s assertion that NATO is a defensive alliance, adding “all for one and one for all.”
