'Significant step up in rhetoric' Former British ambassador to Russia, Sir Tony Brenton reacts to Putin's accusations that the West is using nuclear blackmail and his announcement of 'a partial mobilisation' and referendums in four Ukrainian regions.
Live reporting by Faith Ridler, with updates from Deborah Haynes in Kharkiv, Sally Lockwood in Kyiv and Stuart Ramsay in OdesaMobilisation is a 'predictable step' that will be 'extremely unpopular', says Ukrainian adviser
In the last hour, the Russian president called up around 300,000 Russian reserves in a"partial mobilisation" - and accused the West of"nuclear blackmail".Sir Tony Brenton, the former UK ambassador to Russia, told Sky News that Vladimir Putin's partial mobilisation is a"pretty significant escalation" of the Ukrainian war.
"Now, I don't know whether he believes that or not, but it is obviously a very significant step up in the rhetoric that is going on." Mr Putin called up Russian reservists to join the fight in a"partial mobilisation" - and accused the West of engaging in"nuclear blackmail".Putin declaration is 'worrying escalation', says minister
"It's an illegal war in Ukraine. It's Russia's illegal war in Ukraine. Of course, we will still stand by Ukraine, as will all of our NATO allies." "We will be talking about the steps of protecting our sovereignty, support of the will and desire of our citizens to decide their will themselves." "In order to force their will in brutal ways to other people. The aim of the West is still weaken and destroy, they are openly saying that."
In an ominous moment, Mr Putin reminds the West that Russia would use all the means at its disposal to protect its territory, saying:"I am not bluffing." The self-styled Donetsk and the Luhansk People's Republics , which Mr Putin recognised as independent states just before the invasion on 24 February, have both said they will hold referendums beginning this Friday and until Tuesday.
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