Boris: We have to ramp up our military help now

BORIS Johnson has called on the Government to urgently boost its military support to Ukraine as he warned yesterday's arms talks between Vladimir Putin and North Korean despot Kim Jong Un presented a "new threat".

- Martyn Brown

FREEDOM FOR UKRAINE

In a direct challenge to Rishi Sunak, the former prime minister insisted Britain must "go further" in helping the war-torn nation repel and ultimately defeat their Russian invaders.

Mr Johnson said the UK should provide more "sophisticated artillery", insisting the extra military muscle is needed immediately.

His intervention comes after Volodymyr Zelensky said the West had allowed Russia to gain a foothold in Ukraine by taking too long to supply weapons.

The Ukrainian president said he was grateful to allies for their support but hit out at critics who have suggested Kyiv's counter-offensive is too slow.

Britain has already spent £4.6 billion on supplying Ukraine with tanks, heavy artillery, anti-tank weapons, air defence systems and jet training.

But Mr Johnson, who has just returned from a visit to Ukraine, told the Express more must be done to beef up the UK's military assistance.