“We have to get the message across that the invasion of Ukraine... will be a painful, bloody affair... It is imperative that people in Russia understand that this could be the new Chechnya.
I have been to Ukraine several times.
I know a little about the people of this country ... they will fight, ”RIA Novosti quoted Johnson as saying.
The day before, Sky News channel, citing sources, said that Johnson would instruct Defense Secretary Ben Wallace to accept the invitation of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to hold talks in Moscow.
Russia has repeatedly rejected accusations by the West and Ukraine of aggressive actions.