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‘UTTER CONTEMPT’
Rishi Sunak slams Putin for ‘raining down missiles’ and taking innocent lives in ‘illegal’ war after Poland ‘strike’
RISHI Sunak this morning slammed Mad Vlad Putin for "raining down missiles" on Ukraine and taking innocent lives in his "illegal" war.
The PM's stark words came after a missile hit a Polish village last night, killing two civilians.
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The PM met with US President Joe Biden and Nato leaders at an emergency meeting on Wednesday over the missile strike.
The group condemned “barbaric” attacks by Russia on Ukrainian cities as they pledged support for Poland's investigation into the deadly blast near the Ukraine border.
“We condemn the barbaric missile attacks that Russia perpetrated on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure on Tuesday,” a statement read.
"We offer our full support for and assistance with Poland's ongoing investigation. "
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In a press conference this morning, Mr Sunak offered his "wholehearted support" to Poland.
Speaking from Bali where he is attending the G20 summit, the PM described the horror of "Russian missiles raining down on Western Ukraine, killing civilians and destroying civilian infrastructure".
He vowed: "The UK stands steadfast behind President Duda and his people at this worrying time.
"We should all be clear, none of this would be happening if it weren't for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This is the cruel and unrelenting reality of Putin's war.
"As long as it goes on, it poses a threat to our security and that of our allies. And as long as it goes on, it will continue to devastate the global economy."
Mr Sunak blasted: "There is not a single person in the world who hasn't felt the impact of Putin's war.
"Global food markets have been severely disrupted by his attempts to choke off Ukrainian grain supply. There has been an eight fold increase in global energy prices.
"Thanks to Russia turning off their gas taps, the economic aftershocks of Putin's casual disregard for human life will ripple around the world for years to come."
While speaking to reporters, Biden said that it was “unlikely” that the missile was from Russia, however, he supported Poland’s investigation.
“There is preliminary information that contests that,” Biden said to reporters when asked if the missile had been fired from Russia.
“It is unlikely in the lines of the trajectory that it was fired from Russia, but we’ll see.”
Ukraine maintains stocks of former Soviet and Russian-made weapons - and it was three US officials reportedly said the missiles was likely fired by Ukraine.
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Biden expressed his “deep condolences” to Polish President Andrzej Duda.
He promised on Twitter “full US support for and assistance with Poland’s investigation,” and “reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Nato.”
Meanwhile, Sunak spoke to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to be briefed before he had a telephone call with Poland President Duda.
He said it is important to remain calm while the facts are established.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the PM have also since spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Speaking at the start of a discussion on the digital economy at the G20 summit in Bali, Sunak said it was "critical" to protect the international order.
He said: "It is important that we remain calm and focus on establishing the facts.
"I spoke to President Duda this morning to express my sympathy and pledge our support.
"As I said yesterday, it is critical we protect the international order and the fundamental principles of the UN Charter."
'MERCILESS'
But the PM and Biden later held their first bi-lateral meeting where they were united in their condemnation of Russia.
They insisted that pressure on Moscow must be maintained to make sure that Vladimir Putin "fails", Downing Street said.
The pair hit out at the barbaric attack on Ukraine on Tuesday calling the strikes "merciless" and "way over the top".
Mr Sunak didn’t call refer to the ‘special relationship’ during the talks but said the two countries had a “unique and enduring” partnership.
But amid the chaotic schedule, Sunak's meeting with China's President Xi was called off.
The pair also expressed their commitment to the Good Friday Agreement as the EU and UK work towards finding a solution to issues with the Protocol.
Poland said early Wednesday that a “Russian-made” missile fell in the easter part of the country, killing two people.
Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy called the attack “a very significant escalation” of the war.
Russia has denied any involvement in the attack.
The Polish government is investigating the attack and announced that it would raise its level of military preparedness.
“We are acting with calm,” said Polish President Andrzej Duda. “This is a difficult situation.”
SUNAK AND BIDEN MEET
Sunak, Biden and their delegations met in an open-air room in a luxury resort hotel, surrounded by a carp pond and tropical plants.
They were shielded from the hot midday sun by a thatched roof.
After their brief remarks at the top of the meeting, they shook hands and smiled at each other warmly.
President Biden said: “This morning we’ve already met with our fellow NATO and G-7 leaders to address Russia’s latest missile strikes against Kyiv and Western Ukraine - it’s merciless. I mean it borders on — it’s way over the top. At the moment when world leaders meeting here in Bali are seeking progress on world peace, Putin’s striking civilian targets - children, and women. I mean, it’s just, It’s almost - in my words, not yours - barbaric.”
In reply, Prime Minister Sunak said: “It's a great honor to have the opportunity to sit down with you. I think the partnership between our countries is unique and enduring.
"And of course, it's bigger than any two individuals. I'm proud to have stewardship of it at the moment.
“And as you said, the United States is our closest ally, biggest trading partner, closest security partner.
"And I'm glad to see that partnership in action doing good whether it's standing up to - and I agree with your words - barbaric activity by Russia in Ukraine, but also tackling climate change, stabilizing the global economy.
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"Our values are aligned, our interests are aligned and there's much good that we can do working together.”
The pair declined to take questions from reporters on the missile strike in Poland.
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