By Harrison Jones
‘I think Russia would be literally insane to attempt to do that, because Nato is a far larger and a far stronger bloc.’
A Government minister has said Russia would be ‘literally insane’ to start a war with Nato.
Chris Philp also likened yesterday’s missile strike on a Ukrainian shopping centre to a terror attack, branding it ‘sickening and appalling’.
The technology minister’s comments follow an intervention by the head of the army – who suggested the current situation is like the build-up to the second world war.
Asked about Chief of the General Staff General Sir Patrick Sanders’ position, Mr Philp told Sky News: ‘I think that refers to the fact we need to do everything we can to support Ukraine.
‘We don’t want to see an escalation into a wider conflict.
‘I think Russia would be literally insane to attempt to do that, because Nato is a far larger and a far stronger bloc.’
Yet that is a far cry from General Sir Patrick’s position.
‘This is our 1937 moment’, the army leader is is expected to say later today.
‘We are not at war but must act rapidly so that we aren’t drawn into one through a failure to contain territorial expansion.’
It comes after Vladimir Putin’s forces bombed the shop in Kremenchuk, killing at least 18 and prompting international condemnation.
Mr Philp compared it to an ‘act of terrorism’, as he pointed to UK efforts to support Ukraine in the war.
Ukrainian officials have again been pleading for further military support from western allies, as Russia’s slow advance through the Donbas region continues.
Elsewhere, Mr Philp insisted that the Government is committed to the British armed forces.
He was asked about reports…
