“The Prime Minister is determined to accelerate diplomatic efforts and strengthen deterrent measures to prevent a massacre in Europe,” a Johnson spokesman said.
Britain had previously warned of severe sanctions in the event of Russia invading Ukraine. The British government is expected to make further announcements in that regard on Monday.
Tensions over Ukraine have been mounting for months and Russia has more than 100,000 soldiers standing by at the Ukrainian border. Putin accuses the West of not taking seriously Russia’s security concerns in Eastern Europe, including the presence of Western troops in the area. But Putin also says he is ready for diplomatic talks.
Earlier on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron had a telephone conversation with Putin. After that, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that “the ball is now in Russia’s court.”