The warning came as United Kingdom Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab called on world leaders to support Ukraine with "everything from military hardware to cyber resilience."
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded that Ukraine distance itself from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and lay down its arms to recognize Russia's claims to Crimea, and to acknowledge the independent states of Donetsk and Luhansk before the war can end.
In what is said to be both a defiant and threatening statement, Putin told Ukraine's leaders that their nation risks being dismantled as an independent sovereign state if they continue to resist the invasion.
Putin said: "The current leadership needs to understand that if they continue doing what they are doing, they risk the future of Ukrainian statehood. If that happens, they will have to be blamed for that."
This intervention, in which he hinted at the possible spread of conflict beyond Ukraine's borders unless the west changed its course, came as Moscow broke a ceasefire agreement that allowed Ukrainian civilians to flee the country after 10 days of bombing and devastation. (Related: Reporter on the ground in Ukraine says "this could boil over into WWIII.")
As the invasion continues, U.K. defense officials believe that Russian troops have made minimal gains, with Putin's troops pushed out of Chuhuiv. However, there are still fears that the "humanitarian corridors" that are set up to help refugees flee can be used as a way for the Russians to manipulate the situation, forcing them to exit through Belarus or Russia.
Putin's troops have been attempting to advance toward the capital city for days but were forced to halt as the Ukrainian resistance hit supply lines.
Maria Zakharova, the foreign ministry spokeswoman, said that Russia would not forget the U.K.'s cooperation with Kyiv. "The sanctions hysteria in which London plays one of the leading, if not the main, roles, leaves us no choice but to take proportionately tough retaliatory measures," she said. She also added that U.K.'s Russian interests would be "undermined" by Moscow's response.
Hopes for diplomatic progress dashed
As tensions rise, the early hopes of diplomatic progress in behind-the-scenes negotiations were dashed as the U.K. Foreign Office advised all of the upwards of 6,000 Britons in Russia to leave without delay by any available commercial routes.
European diplomats believe that Putin sees the west's supply of weaponry and other support to Ukraine as a direct intervention that may require retaliation. (Related: The real reasons why Ukraine is so important To Biden, Clinton and their 'global crime cabal': Ukraine is their 'little crime playground' where their devastating secrets are hidden.)
In the U.K., Boris Johnson accused western powers of "turning the other cheek" to Russia for too long, claiming that the West failed to learn the lessons of previous Russian aggressions that led to the invasion.
He remains undeterred by the escalation of Russia's rhetoric, announcing a six-point plan to ensure Putin fails in this endeavor. This plan includes supporting Ukraine in defending itself and "maximizing the economic pressure on Putin's regime."
With over 1.5 million Ukrainians fleeing to nearby countries as the Russian aggression intensifies, Johnson claimed: "We need to prepare now for even darker days ahead."
Ukrainian troops were able to launch a successful counter-attack in the Kharkiv region, seizing equipment and armored vehicles. On Saturday, March 5, in the southern part of Ukraine, protesters rallied peacefully against the occupation, waving Ukrainian flags. Similar large-scale anti-Russian demonstrations also took place in Melitopol and the Azov Sea port of Bedyansk.
However, as the ceasefire agreements broke down, Russia and Ukraine blamed the fall on each other. Despite the growing international alarm, diplomatic efforts are still underway to broker a way out of the crisis.
More related stories:
Advisory: Do not travel to Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova.
China slams US, NATO for provoking Russia to invade Ukraine.
Russia-Ukraine conflict not helping American companies with their supply chain problems.
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