Ukraine War: Liz Truss tells Western Balkans ‘we can’t take our foot off the gas’ | Political news
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will meet armed forces personnel in Bosnia and Herzegovina to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to peace and stability in the Western Balkans.
Ms. Truss will warn against “appeased” Vladimir Putin in the face of Russian influence in the region as the war with Ukraine continues.
She will use her speech to the armed forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina to rally allies to support Ukraine more, including providing more weapons and targeted sanctions.
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The secretary of state will also argue that “we must all learn the lessons of history” to stand up to Mr. Putin and ensure that he loses in Ukraine.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is the UK’s major partner in the Western Balkans in calling for an illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine.
At the Sarajevo Army Hall, the foreign minister will say: “Russian aggression cannot be appeased. It must be met with force.
“We must not allow a protracted and increasingly painful conflict to develop in Ukraine.
“We must constantly ensure Ukraine prevails through military aid and sanctions.
“We can’t leave the accelerator right now.”
Read more: How Putin’s invasion is causing a worldwide food crisis
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‘War could destabilize Europe’
Ms Truss will also reaffirm the UK’s commitment to peace and stability in the Western Balkans and announce UK plans to deepen its economic and security partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
She will announce the UK’s aim to raise $100 million in UK-backed investment in the Western Balkans by 2025 through the UK International Investment Organisation.
“The future of Bosnia and Herzegovina lies in sovereignty and self-determination, in more partnership with NATO and countries like the UK,” she added.
The foreign minister will continue her tour of Europe on Friday when she travels to Prague for talks with Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky.
She will praise the Czech Republic for its tough stance on Russia, including supplying tanks to Ukraine, and call on more countries to follow suit.
