UK Prime Minister talks with Russia's Putin by phone: "Ukraine invasion is a tragic miscalculation"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the Ukraine situation, but it is reported that the call only reaffirmed the differences in their positions.

On the 2nd (local time), the British Prime Minister's Office released a statement saying, "Prime Minister Johnson held a phone call with President Putin today, during which he strongly warned that the invasion of Ukraine could be a tragic miscalculation." It added, "Both leaders agreed that provocations benefit no one, and Johnson emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, as well as the need to include Ukraine in talks."

The Kremlin Press Office also stated that the two leaders exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and Russia's security concerns during the call. The Kremlin noted, "During the call, it was pointed out that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has no intention of adequately addressing Russia's security concerns."

During the call, President Putin reportedly told Prime Minister Johnson that "NATO is hiding behind the so-called 'open door' policy of the alliance, which violates the fundamental principle of 'indivisibility of security,'" according to the Kremlin. The principle of indivisibility of security means that one country should not seek to secure its own safety at the expense of others.

The scheduled summit call between the two countries was initially set for the 31st of last month but was postponed. Prime Minister Johnson canceled the call to urgently attend Parliament to defend his political position related to the 'Partygate' report. Earlier, on the 1st, Johnson visited Ukraine to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, solidify solidarity, and emphasize that a Russian attack was imminent.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.