‘Summit pressure is on Putin’: UK Defence Secretary

UK Defence Secretary John Healey has claimed that the pressure is on Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said that in recent months the Russian leader had declared that he wants peace “while escalating direct attacks on Ukraine, killing civilians”. “The test is on Putin, the pressure is on Putin,” he said during the morning media round, adding if Mr Putin was serious about peace then the discussions could be the first steps. He said the UK’s job was to lead the charge on intensifying diplomacy, delivering military aid and preparing economic sanctions in the wake of the summit not bringing progress towards a ceasefire.