Last-Ditch Talks To Avert War In Ukraine - Or Prepare Response To Ukraine Threat

Last-ditch bid for peace: Boris Johnson plans whistle-stop tour of Europe to hold more talks with world leaders in final diplomatic blitz to avert crisis in Ukraine as Kyiv demands meeting with Moscow and other nations to explain its troop build-up

 EMINE SINMAZ and MARK NICOL and HARRIET LINE FOR THE DAILY MAIL and AMIE GORDON FOR MAILONLINE

Boris Johnson will lead a last-ditch diplomatic blitz this week to avert war in Ukraine. With the next 48 hours said to be crucial, the Prime Minister will make a whistle-stop tour of Europe as the world braces for an imminent Russian invasion.

Intelligence suggests Vladimir Putin's troops are planning to cross the border 'at any moment', possibly as soon as Wednesday.

Mr Johnson warned last night that the crisis in Eastern Europe was at 'a critical juncture' and he and other allies will spend the coming hours and days attempting to pull Russia 'back from the brink'.

Britain yesterday pledged 'further economic support to Ukraine' as more than 130,000 Russian troops stood massed at its borders. 

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace will attend a meeting with his Nato counterparts in Brussels this week to prepare the security alliance's response to any attack on Ukrainian sovereignty.

US intelligence briefed by the Pentagon reportedly points to a detailed plan in which Moscow will launch a barrage of missile and bomb attacks this Wednesday followed by a full-blown ground invasion.

As Downing Street held out hope on a 'window of opportunity for de-escalation and diplomacy', other developments saw: 

• Mr Wallace cancel a family holiday but be dragged into a war of words with allies; 
• Commercial airlines halt flights to Ukraine or divert them from flying over its airspace, sparking fears civilians will soon be stranded;
• A bullish Russian ambassador say his leader Mr Putin 'doesn't give a s***' about the threat of Western economic sanctions;
• Moscow further ratchet up tensions as more than 30 Russian ships started naval training exercises near the Crimean peninsul;
• Ukraine call for a meeting with Russia and other members of a key European security group over the escalating tensions on its border;
• The Pentagon warning 'things were not moving in the right direction' after a call between President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to yield a breakthrough
• Ukraine's ambassador to the UK tell BBC Ukraine might consider abandoning its goal of NATO membership to avert war 

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