Liz Truss accused Russia of 'blatant' efforts to 'fabricate pretexts for invasion' today as she arrived in Ukraine to show solidarity - with Boris Johnson warning of 'false flag operations'.
Amid rising fears that Vladimir Putin is preparing to send in forces, the Foreign Secretary said claims of 'abnormal' activity by Ukranian forces were 'straight out of the Kremlin playbook'.
She condemned the shelling of a kindergarten by pro-Russian forces, urging Moscow to pursue diplomatic channels - and cautioned that Nato allies might need to accept 'short-term pain for long-term gain' by opposing the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Truss, speaking after the talks with her Ukrainian counterpart, said the Kremlin's demand the UK recognise the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk showed 'flagrant disregard' for Moscow's peace process commitments.
Meanwhile, on a visit to an RAF base in Lincolnshire Mr Johnson has said the kindergarten attack was a 'false flag operation designed to discredit the Ukrainians', adding: 'We fear very much that that is a thing we will see more of over the next few days.'
The US has accused Russia of adding up to 7,000 troops near the Ukraine border despite Moscow insisting some units are returning to base after 'exercises'.
At a press conference alongside her Ukranian counterpart this afternoon, Ms Truss said she wanted to show the UK's 'steadfast support'.
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