BORIS Johnson is using the threat of war in Ukraine to “distract from the implosion of his premiership”, anti-war campaigners have said.
Stop the War Coalition has organised an urgent online meeting for Thursday evening to call for a “diplomatic solution” to the crisis in Eastern Europe and express an alternative view on the situation.
The “gung ho” British media has been accused of suppressing European efforts to avert war.
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The event description said the Westminster government was using mounting tensions in Ukraine as an “opportunity to prove itself as America’s most loyal European ally”.
It added: “This is in stark contrast to other European countries - France and Germany in particular - who are keen to see a diplomatic solution prevail rather than a new European war.
“The British media, in its usual gung ho fashion, has barely mentioned the concerted efforts of our European allies to prevent war, but on Thursday we will be joined by politicians from Europe keep to share an alternative view.”
The event will include talks from former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and MP Diane Abbott, as well as Nina Potarska, Ukraine national coordinator at the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.
Other speakers are Professor Richard Sakwa from Kent University and Christine Buchholz, a former MP in the German parliament for Die Linke.
It comes after a press conference on Thursday morning at which Johnson warned war in Ukraine would be a “disaster”.
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Speaking at a press conference in Brussels alongside Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg, the Prime Minister said Europe faces the “most dangerous moment” in its “biggest security crisis” for decades as Russia amasses troops on its border with Ukraine.
He added: “I honestly don’t think a decision has yet been taken but that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible that something absolutely disastrous could happen very soon indeed.
“Our intelligence, I’m afraid to say, remains grim. We’re seeing the massing of huge numbers of tactical battalion groups on the border with Ukraine.”
We reported earlier how Russia’s foreign secretary walked out on talks with Liz Truss, saying conversing with her was "like talking to a deaf person" and that what Russia does in its own territory is "not her business".
The event will be held online and you can find out more here.
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