After Putin's Statements the Focus Must Be on Peace in Ukraine

Vladimir Putin's announcement of a new mobilisation of reservists and his statement that Russia is prepared to use 'various means of destruction' if Russia is threatened marks an alarming escalation in the terrible war in Ukraine. The statements make clear that we are closer to great power nuclear confrontation than at any time for generations.

They also show that the current Western strategy of backing the Ukrainian army by pumping vast amounts of weapons into the country, huge numbers of troops into the region and economically isolating Russia is inflaming the war and risking further catastrophe.

Liz Truss' pledge of billions of pounds of more funding for Ukraine can only serve to extend the brutal conflict. Only Russia and Ukraine can negotiate their differences and the British government should be encouraging peace talks and de-escalation, not obstructing them.

Stop the War would also like to send solidarity to the thousands of courageous Russian anti-war protesters who are risking their safety to call for an end to the war.

Stop the War Convenor, Lindsey German, said:

"The war in Ukraine is reaching boiling point and it is the urgent duty of the British government to encourage negotiations. Instead, Liz Truss continues to fan the flames of the war by promising billions more in weaponry.This will only lead to more misery for Ukrainians and a danger of war spreading elsewhere.

Working people in Ukraine, Russia and the rest of Europe are the victims of this war. More weapons will only make this worse."

Stop the War Vice Chair, Chris Nineham, said:

"Ordinary people in Ukraine, Russia and the wider region cannot possibly benefit from this dreadful conflict. Whether the war grinds on for months or years more or whether it suddenly flares up into a terrifying wider confrontation, it will be they who suffer most.

This war is blighting the lives of millions around the globe. It is a major contributory factor to the inflationary crisis we are all facing. Now once again politicians and commentators are nonchalantly discussing in the media the possibilities it raises of nuclear conflagration.

It is up to all of us to do everything to try and end this madness and to challenge the idea that there can be any winners in this war."