UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has spoken out against Russia’s “bullying” and “atrocities” in Ukraine during a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday.
Truss used an address to the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to speak out against Russian maneuvering in the Balkan nation, and urged partners to continue to rally behind Ukraine.
“As Russia meddles here, Putin’s troops are committing atrocities just 700 miles away in Ukraine. The people of Ukraine need our support,” said Truss.
“They need that support from the whole of Europe, from the whole of the free world. We need to back the people in their brave fight for their country,” she added, urging allies not to compromise with or appease Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We have seen Russia’s bullying tactics – just this week flagrantly saying they will let Ukrainian grain flow only if sanctions on them are lifted,” said Truss.
“That is trying to hold the world to ransom, and it must not succeed. So now it is about digging deep, not backsliding,” she added.
“Democracy and freedom must prevail over autocratic aggression,” said Truss. “Putin must lose in Ukraine. Putin’s aggression must never succeed in Europe.”
