UK warns Putin could use Russia-Ukraine talks as ‘smokescreen’ for ‘extreme actions’

LONDON — Peace talks to end the Ukraine conflict could be a “smokescreen” for more extreme Russian military maneuvers, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss warns.

“I’m very skeptical,” Truss tells The Times newspaper in an interview. “What we’ve seen is an attempt to create space for the Russians to regroup. Their invasion isn’t going according to plan.

“I fear the negotiation is yet another attempt to create a diversion and create a smokescreen. I don’t think we’re yet at a point for negotiation,” she adds.

Truss echoes comments by British intelligence that Putin could turn to “more and more extreme actions,” adding “we’ve seen appalling atrocities already.”

Truss says that Britain could potentially act as a guarantor if any settlement is reached, and that Putin “didn’t believe” the international community would impose the scale of sanctions that it has.

Britain has recently targeted high-profile oligarchs, including Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich.

Truss suggests it’s “extremely difficult” to envisage these sanctions being lifted, saying “these oligarchs have enabled Vladimir Putin to do what he’s doing.”