Western leaders are prepared for increasingly desperate moves from Vladimir Putin as Ukraine readies itself for a counter offensive against Russian troops. Express.co.uk understands leaders of the G7 countries – the world’s biggest democracies – were ready for the Russian dictator to suggest he may use nuclear warfare and expect him to try to threaten other extreme tactics.
It comes as the foreign ministers, including Britain’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, collectively condemned Putin’s bellicose language on nuclear weapons at the G7 summit in Karuizawa in Japan.
The suggestion by Putin that he will move tactical nuclear weapons into neighbouring Belarus with the threat of an expected Ukraine counter offensive has united G7 nations to double down on support for Ukraine not step back.
British officials at the summit made it clear they are expecting Russia to respond to a Ukrainian counter-offensive and “must be prepared” for extreme tactics.
This could include cyber attacks and starvation tactics as well as nuclear threats.
A UK Government source said that the desperate tactics by the Russian President had been predicted.
The source said: “He [Putin] will be looking around to see whatever tools he’s got left.
“We’re expecting that and must be prepared for that.”
The source also made it clear that Britain and its allies are collectively giving Ukraine what it needs to win the war with a debate raging about whether aid should be accelerated.
The West is already using its “rainy day fund” to support Ukraine, it was claimed.
And Britain remains “in it for the long-term.”
A communique issued by the G7 after a lengthy session on Ukraine said: “The G7 Foreign Ministers confirmed that they remain committed to intensifying, fully coordinating and enforcing sanctions against Russia, as well as to continuing strong support for Ukraine.
“They underscored that Russia must withdraw all forces and equipment from Ukraine immediately and unconditionally.
“Also, in addition to condemning President Putin’s announcement to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, the G7 Foreign Ministers reaffirmed that Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric is unacceptable.
“Furthermore, they concurred into reinforcing coordination to prevent and respond to evasion of sanctions as well as third-party weapon supply to Russia.”
However, while the governments were united on support for Ukraine and inplaccable opposition to Putin’s agression there were disagreements.
The communique referred to “an open exchange of views regarding the situation in Ukraine” hinting at the tensions between the USA and France, who were sat next to one another, because of President Macron’s apparent attack on American influence in Europe while returning from a trip to China.
The USA has been the balwark of European security since the Second World War and the biggest aid donor to Ukraine since the war broke out.
A bilateral meeting between French foreign minister Catherine Colonna and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken this evening overran as the two thrashed out issues.
During the Ukraine talks, the summit’s host, Japanese foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi explained that Japan has announced related assistance for Ukraine and neighboring and other countries amounting to £6.2 billion to date.
Moreover, minister Hayashi stated that measures against evasion and circumvention of sanctions and third party weapon supply to Russia are important issues and condemned President Putin’s decision to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, which will further increase the tension of the situation.
The summit has also seen a commitment to stengthen security in the global south with the threat from China to Taiwan and other countries in the Indo-Pacific.