of Thanassis Gavos
The British government is concerned that the United States, France and Germany will press Ukraine to accept a peace agreement with significant setbacks against Russia, the Times’ political and defense editors say in a report.
A senior government source in London was quoted as saying that there was concern that Western allies were too eager for a speedy peace deal.
The same source states that London’s view is that an agreement with Russia should be concluded only when Ukraine is “in the strongest possible position”.
The Times reveals that in a telephone conversation with President Zelensky over the weekend, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the Ukrainian president that Putin was a “liar and bully” who would use the talks to tarnish the Ukrainian side and force it to concessions.
Mr Zelensky, for his part, has reportedly raised concerns about the progress of the talks and whether Russia is taking advantage of them to redeploy and strengthen its forces.
A British government source tells the Times that if the Ukrainians hold on to the strongest possible position in the negotiations, they could gain significant concessions from Moscow on the ground. Such a treaty would also favor the tightening of sanctions, as well as the prosecution of Vladimir Putin as a potential war criminal.
The position of the British government, the Times adds, is that Putin should not be offered an easy way out, while Boris Johnson has made it public that he wants to intensify sanctions until the last Russian soldier withdraws from Ukrainian territory.
The report notes that the Ukrainian president has accused German Chancellor Olaf Schulz of “mistakes” in his treatment of the Kremlin and French President Emanuel Macron of “fearing” Russia (over the possible deployment of tanks).
Meanwhile, the Times and the Telegraph cite sources who say that the increased lethal weapons that were decided to be sent to Ukraine yesterday will include so-called “wandering ammunition”, in the form of a drone.
The Times writes that these drones will be similar to the US-made Switchblade “kamikaze” drones.
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