Boris Johnson warns of 'very grim days ahead for Ukraine' and tougher Russia sanctions

The news comes after the Prime Minister said that he welcomed the exclusion of Russia from the Swift global banking system after Germany dropped its objections to the plan.

Speaking at RAF Brize Norton, Boris Johnson said: “Let’s be in no doubt, things are not going all the way of President Putin, very far from it.

“The Ukrainians are fighting heroically, and in some places with great success, as many of us thought they would because they’re a great country and a very brave country.

Vladimir Putin. Credit: PA

“But as you rightly point out, there are some terrible atrocities being committed and there will be some very grim days ahead for Ukraine.

“We’ve got to do everything we can to change the heavy odds that Ukraine faces and to help them, and so that’s why we’re sending humanitarian supplies, we’re sending financial supplies and military supplies as well.

This evening I spoke to President @ZelenskyyUa. The heroism of the President and his people in the defence of their country is awe-inspiring.

We are clear – Russia must be isolated diplomatically and financially. I welcome increased willingness to exclude Russia from SWIFT.

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 26, 2022

“The UK was the first European country to send military aid to Ukraine. Last night, many other countries joined in sending, in pledging to send military assistance, you’re starting to see that grow.”

Speaking on Saturday night, the Prime Minister said: “I think we have to face the hideous reality that the diplomacy, as far as President Putin was concerned, was a charade.

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“He never really intended to alter his course. You read the article that he wrote many months ago – it was clear that he’s attached to a weird, semi-mystical view of Ukraine as part of Russia.

“And that is a view that the Ukrainian people fervently, passionately reject and they’re showing that they will fight to reject it.

“Our job now is to help them, to help change the very heavy odds they face and that’s why we’re sending the support their way.”

Boris Johnson also said that the Swift banking system is “incredibly important” for putting economic pressure on Russia.

When asked whether the UK needs to do more to push other countries to ban Russia from Swift, Mr Johnson said: “I think that what you’ve seen just today is more countries joining the call of the UK to use Swift.

“Swift is the mechanism that stops people making payments to Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

“It’s incredibly important for tightening the ligature – the economic ligature – around the Putin regime.

“And today you’ve seen more and more countries, France and others, coming forward to say that they will not block a banning, a boycott of Swift.”