Swindon MPs Sir Robert Buckland and Justin Tomlinson have called for the Russians to back down over the crisis in Ukraine.

At present, Russia has well over 100,000 troops stationed on its border with its neighbour and Belarus in the North. 

Western intelligence suggests that the Russians are planning to invade the former Soviet state at any moment, although president Vladimir Putin denies this accusation.

Mr Putin’s government accuses Nato of escalating tensions and wants legal guarantees that the alliance will not expand eastwards into countries such as Ukraine.

In a statement, Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned the Russians that invading Ukraine would be "disastrous" and a "painful, violent and bloody business".

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Johnson, said: "The intelligence is very clear that there are 60 Russian battle groups on the borders of Ukraine, the plan for a lightning war that could take out Kyiv is one that everybody can see.

"We need to make it very clear to the Kremlin, to Russia, that that would be a disastrous step."

Now, Mr Tomlinson has backed his boss’ remarks, saying: “The UK fully supports Ukraine's sovereignty and its territorial integrity.

“As such, the government has called on Russia to honour its international commitments, end its threatening and destabilising behaviour, and de-escalate tensions."

The former Minister of State for disabled people added: “Ministers have assured me that they are under no illusions to the fact that Russia remains the most an acute threat to our national security and to stability in Europe.

“Moreover, the British Army leads the NATO Battlegroup in Estonia and, as the Prime Minister recently said, if Russia invades Ukraine, we would look to contribute to any new NATO deployments to protect our allies in Europe.”

Swindon Advertiser: Robert Buckland

Sir Robert Buckland, the former justice secreatary, said: “The United Kingdom is steadfast in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and I welcome the Government making its absolutely clear that any Russian military incursion into Ukraine would be a massive strategic mistake and met with severe consequences.

"The economic gains made by the people of Ukraine do not deserve to be sacrificed by Russian menaces”.