LONDON: An invasion by Russia into Ukraine would violate the "most basic freedoms and sovereignty", the Defence Secretary has said following a visit to Scandinavia.
Issuing a second warning in a week to Moscow, Ben Wallace said there would be "consequences" of any Russian aggression towards Ukraine. On Monday, he fired a shot across the bows, telling an event in London that Britain would "stand up to bullies", no matter how faraway the conflict.
Tensions on the Ukrainian border continue to be fraught, with the US suggesting Moscow is preparing for a "false-flag operation" in order to spark an incursion into neighbouring territory.
The new US intelligence was unveiled after little progress was made in talks between the Kremlin and Washington and its Western allies aimed at heading off the escalating crisis.
Amid the stand-off, Cabinet minister Mr Wallace met Nordic partners this week, including Finland which shares a border with Russia.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said he met with ministers in Sweden, Finland and Norway to discuss Russia's continued aggression and military build-up on Ukraine's border, with some 100,000 troops amassed at the divide.
The Defence Secretary said: "The UK and our Nordic partners are united in our approach to upholding European security.
"My discussions this week have been directly about deepening bilateral relations, shared security and the consequences of Russian aggression towards Ukraine.
"Our discussions were clear that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would be a strategic mistake, violating the most basic freedoms and sovereignty.
"Britain and the Nordic countries have a long and shared history.
"Our European neighbours and allies remain vital partners as we work together to defend our common values, counter shared threats and build resilience in our neighbourhood, the UK will always stand with them."
Labour said the threats facing Ukraine must be met with "strength and solve" by Nato and Europe, with shadow defence secretary John Healey having visited the country this week.
"The Western allies must work hard to maintain their deterrent pressure on Russia and stand by Ukraine," said the senior opposition MP.
Giving details of the Defence Secretary's three-day visit, the MoD said that Mr Wallace met with his Swedish counterpart, defence minister Peter Hultqvist, before travelling to Finland to hold discussions with President Sauli Niinisto, foreign minister Pekka Haavisto and defence minister Antti Kaikkonen.
The third leg of his trip saw the Defence Secretary meet with his Norwegian counterpart Odd Roger Enoksen.
Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is to travel to Kiev and Moscow next week, as tensions remain high between Russia and the West despite a week of diplomatic activity.
Baerbock is due in Ukraine on Monday, where she is to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. A day later, she heads to meet with her Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in Moscow, according to the German Foreign Ministry.
Her efforts are to focus on making progress in talks between Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany, a constellation known as the Normandy format, according to a ministry spokesperson.
The group has not met since 2019.
But there is cautious optimism that the Normandy-format meetings may resume, deputy government spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann said,after talks between Jens Plötner, who advises German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on security matters, and his French counterpart. Initially,she said the talks might take place involving diplomatic advisors. -dpa
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