West must push Russia out of 'whole of Ukraine', Liz Truss says

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

The Foreign Secretary has called for Western allies to "double down" in their efforts to support Ukraine and push Russia out of the war-torn country.

In a keynote foreign policy speech, Ms Truss said the UK must strengthen its military while building alliances with other nations around the world. She added that the country must further use its and other nations' economic power to deter aggressors who "do not play by the rules".

She added that the G7 group of leading industrialised nations should behave as an "economic Nato" that work together to defend collective prosperity. During the speech, she also showed favourable consideration to some other states which the Western military alliance should be prepared to be open towards such as Finland and Sweden.

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Speaking at the Mansion House in the City of London, Ms Truss narrowed in on China, which has refused to condemn the RUssian invasion of Ukraine, while increasing imports from Russia and noting "who should or shouldn't be a Nato member".

She added: "China is not impervious. They will not continue to rise if they do not play by the rules.

"China needs trade with the G7. We represent around half of the global economy. And we have choices. We have shown with Russia the kind of choices that we’re prepared to make when international rules are violated.”

Ms Truss' calls for an international architecture would intend to guarantee peace and prosperity for Ukraine in the face of a "desperate rogue operator" who has no interest in abiding by international norms. “Russia is able to block any effective action in the UN Security Council. Putin sees his veto as a green light to barbarism,”