UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called on Russians to reject the war in Ukraine and their leadership under Vladimir Putin.
In a video message that was posted on the Prime Minister's official channels, the PM said that what was happening in Ukraine was the worst war crime in Europe since the Second World War and that the actions were a stain on the honour of the Russian people.
He said:
"Your president knows that if you could see what was happening, you would not support his war. He knows that these crimes betray the trust of every Russian mother who proudly waves goodbye to her son as he heads off to join the military. And he knows they are a stain on the honour of Russia itself. A stain that will only grow larger and more indelible every day this war continues."
Adding:
"Your president stands accused of committing war crimes. But I cannot believe he's acting in your name".
Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has now called for Vladimir Putin to face a war crimes trial. Saying:
"I believe he could be indicted very quickly because the evidence is clear about him planning, preparing and executing an invasion. It is what we had to do in Rwanda, we had to do it in relation to Liberia. We did it in relation to other countries as well in Yugoslavia. You could be putting out an arrest warrant, not just for Putin but for a lot of his inner circle who have been collaborating with him in these deeds."
The UK has been at the forefront of opposition to Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine and was recently named as the staunchest of allies by Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who also sharply criticised other European states such as France and Germany for not doing enough to support his country, at least in the early days of the invasion. Germany and other European states strongly fear that Russia may soon restrict gas supplies, leading to an energy crisis and economic recession.
[Based on reporting by: Hull Daily Mail]
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