Russia should pay REPARATIONS to Ukraine to help rebuild the war-torn nation after conflict ends, Liz Truss says
RUSSIA should pay World War II style reparations to Ukraine to help rebuild the war-torn nation after the war is over, Liz Truss said tonight.
The PM suggested that Moscow should help foot the massive repair bill for Ukraine by reaching into its own coffers.
Asked if there was a realistic chance of Russia coughing up, she told Channel 5 News: "There has been grave damage caused across Ukraine.
"I'm proud that the United Kingdom has stepped up working with the Kyiv to help them with their reconstruction.
“But I would expect that the Russian state which has vast oil and gas reserves should be contributing to rebuilding it.”
The PM also told TalkTV last night: "I think it's only right that Russia - which has huge oil and gas reserves - is putting funding towards helping Ukraine reconstruct.
Read more on the Ukraine war
"I will support measures and I'll talk to allies about how exactly any mechanism would work."
Putin is set to address Russia tonight in which he is expected to order full mobilisation of the country's military.
The tyrant's highly unusual direct message to his people is the first since the announcement of the so-called "special military operation" to invade Ukraine in February.
Full mobilisation of Russia would mean the potential of pulling up to two million reservists for Vlad's war in Ukraine.
Most read in News
It comes as pro-Russian authorities in the Donbas revealed they will hold referendums on joining Russia this week.
These referendums would be highly unlikely to be free and fair, according to international observers.
If these territories vote to join Russia, it would give Putin the justification to launch a full invasion of the region.
He would also be able to station his fearful nuclear arsenal in Ukraine, as he would claim the territory as part of his own country, further escalating tensions of an apocalyptic strike.
Even before Putin's announcement, the US condemned what it called "sham" referendums and said it wouldn't recognise the results.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said: "These referenda are an affront to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that underpin the international system.
"If this does transpire, the United States will never recognize Russia's claims to any purportedly annexed parts of Ukraine."
And NATO secretary-general Jens Stolrenberg said: "Sham referendums have no legitimacy and do not change the nature Russia war of aggression against.
"This is a further escalation in Putin’s war. The international community must condemn this blatant violation of international law and step up support for Ukraine."
Read More on The Sun
Ahead of Putin's speech, the country's parliament passed a new law bringing in stricter punishment for soldiers who refuse to fight.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Unconfirmed reports claim that all fighting-age men between the ages of 18 and 65 will be banned from leaving Russia and the occupied territories in Ukraine from midnight Wednesday morning.