That great Britain prepare to offer Otan deployment of “large” troops, weapons, warships and aircraft in Europe, prime minister announced Boris Johnson on Saturday, in response to increased “Russian hostility” to Ukraine.

(You may be interested: What Macron and Putin have to say about the crisis in Ukraine)

The offer, which will be presented to NATO’s military chief next week, is for the British government to double the estimated 1,150 British troops currently stationed in Eastern European countries and send “weapons of defense” to Estonia, his office.

“This move will send a clear message to the Kremlin that we will not tolerate their destabilizing activity and that we will always support our NATO allies in the face of Russian hostility,” Johnson said in a statement late Saturday.

“I have ordered our armed forces to prepare to deploy to Europe next week, ensuring that we are in a position to support our NATO allies on land, sea and in the air,” he said.

The British leader added that if President Putin chose “bloodbath and destruction” in Ukraine, it would be a “tragedy for Europe.”

“Ukraine should be free to choose its future,” he added.

Johnson, who has come under intense political pressure at home in recent weeks after a series of scandals, said on Friday he would speak with Putin in the coming days to call for de-escalation around Ukraine.

Meanwhile, he is expected to visit the region next week.

Relations between Russia and Western countries are at their lowest since The cold Warafter Moscow deployed tens of thousands of troops to the border with Ukraine.

(Also read: Crisis in Ukraine: China Supports Russia and Asks US to ‘Respect’)

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The UK Foreign Office is expected to announce in parliament on Monday the strengthening of sanctions against Russia, which will affect its strategic and financial interests.

British officials will be sent to Brussels, NATO’s headquarters, to flesh out details of the military bid after ministers discussed different options on Monday.

Britain’s chief of defense staff Tony Radakin and the head of the armed forces will brief the cabinet on the situation in Ukraine the following day.

The possible deployment of aircraft, warships and military specialists, as well as troops and weapons, would enhance NATO’s defenses and “strengthen Britain’s support for its Nordic and Baltic partners,” according to Johnson’s office.

The UK has more than 900 military personnel present in Estonia, and more than 100 are currently in Ukraine as part of a training mission that began in 2015.

A light cavalry squadron of about 150 elements was also deployed in Poland.

(Be sure to read: Why did the Ukraine crisis split the US Republican Party?)

Downing Street said the warship HMS Prince of Wales, currently in northern Europe’s Arctic region, which spearheads NATO’s maritime power, was ready “to move within hours if tensions escalate.”

On the diplomatic front, Britain’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Liz Truss and Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace are preparing to visit Moscow in the coming days for talks with their counterparts, he added.

“They will be asked to improve relations with President Putin’s government and push for de-escalation,” Johnson’s office said.

Wallace will also travel to meet allies in Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia next week.

AFP

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