BORIS WARNS PUTIN OF ‘PAINFUL AND BLOODY' INVASION

Western leaders hold crisis talks in show of strength against Russia

- Michael Knowles

BORIS Johnson has warned Vladimir Putin that invading Ukraine will lead to a “painful, violent and bloody” war.

Western leaders put on a united front last night as Nato sent ships and fighter jets to eastern Europe amid growing fears Russia will attack its neighbour. The Prime Minister admitted “gloomy” intelligence suggests the Kremlin is planning a “lightning war that could take out Kiev”.

He said he did not believe the “disastrous” war was inevitable and there was a chance that “sense can still prevail”.

Western leaders will impose “never seen before” sanctions on Russia if the Kremlin orders an invasion.

And the Pentagon has said up to 8,500 US troops are on heightened alert and added that no mission had been assigned yet.

A spokesman said: “This is about getting troops ready.”

Mr Johnson, President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and President Andrzej Duda of Poland held a virtual conference call last night to discuss the crisis.

Severe sanctions will be imposed on Russia if it attacks Ukraine.

Sweeping export controls on key Russian industries are said to be among the options under consideration.

In a dire warning, Mr Johnson said: “We need to get a message that invading Ukraine, from a Russian perspective, is going to be a painful, violent and bloody business.

“I think it’s very important that people in Russia understand that this could be a new Chechnya.”

Massing