The “brutal and unprovoked” assault by Russia on Ukraine will have “far-reaching consequences” for the world, Boris Johnson has warned.
The Prime Minister made the comments ahead of a trip to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Johnson’s visit is said to be part of efforts to ensure coordinated international action on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.
Downing Street has indicated the Prime Minister will meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed in the United Arab Emirates before travelling to Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
He is expected to discuss the importance of allies working together to increase the diplomatic and economic pressure on Vladimir Putin’s regime, as well as minimising the global fallout from the conflict.
Johnson will also discuss efforts to improve energy security and reduce volatility in energy and food prices.
And he insisted that the world must “starve Putin’s addiction to oil and gas”.
“The brutal and unprovoked assault President Putin has unleashed on Ukraine will have far-reaching consequences for the world, well beyond Europe’s borders,” he said ahead of the trip.
“The UK is building an international coalition to deal with the new reality we face.
“The world must wean itself off Russian hydrocarbons and starve Putin’s addiction to oil and gas.
“Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are key international partners in that effort.
“We will work with them to ensure regional security, support the humanitarian relief effort and stabilise global energy markets for the longer term.”
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