Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is to visit a number of key European allies this week, as part of the UK’s efforts to lead international opposition to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

She will visit Ukraine, Poland and Germany to reinforce the UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine and deliver a keynote speech in which she will call for nations to respect the sovereignty of others, and live up to their commitments.  She will also call for Russia to do as it says and deescalate tensions at the border with Ukraine.

During her visit, Truss will meet her Ukraine counterpart, Foreign Minister Kuleba and Polish Foreign Minister Rau - to demonstrate unified support for Ukrainian sovereignty and warn Russia if they decide to pursue the path of aggression, there will be severe economic consequences.

On Saturday, she will then attend the Munich Security Conference to strengthen security ties with some of the UK’s key strategic allies.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will say in her speech in Kyiv:

“We want to live in a world where people are in charge of their own future, free from aggression and coercion, where security is truly indivisible and where nations respect the sovereignty of others, and live up to their commitments.

“That means working together with our friends in Ukraine and beyond to face down threats wherever they are across the world.

“I urge Russia to take the path of diplomacy. We are ready to talk. But we are very clear – if they decide to continue down the path of aggression, there will be massive consequences bringing Russia severe economic costs and pariah status.”

The UK is spearheading ongoing diplomatic and deterrence efforts. This week the Prime Minister spoke to President Biden, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the situation in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Secretary spoke to the ‘Quad’ of Foreign Ministers from Germany, US and France.  She has also spoke to Ukrainian, Canadian, and Danish Foreign Ministers this week.

On the deterrence track, the Defence Secretary was in Brussels yesterday for NATO Defence Ministers.

During the Foreign Secretary’s visit, she will push Russia to abide by the international agreements it has already signed up to - including the OSCE Helsinki Final Act, Minsk Protocols, and the Budapest memorandum - guaranteeing to respect the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine.

This week’s visit follows the recent announcement of legislation for the UK’s strongest ever sanctions regime against Russia. The new approach gives the UK unprecedented power to sanction a much broader range of individuals and businesses linked to Russia’s strategic interests, leaving those in and around the Kremlin with nowhere to hide.