UK Prime Minister expects phone call with Putin next week - Downing Street

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expects to have a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week to call on him to start a diplomatic dialogue on Ukraine

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expects to have a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week to call on him to start a diplomatic dialogue on Ukraine, a Downing Street spokeswoman announced on Friday, Qazet.az reports citing TASS.

"The Prime Minister is determined to accelerate diplomatic efforts and ramp up deterrence to avoid bloodshed in Europe. He will reiterate the need for Russia to step back and engage diplomatically when he speaks to President Putin this week," she said.

In turn, a source in the British government circles told TASS that in addition to a telephone conversation with the Russian leader, Johnson plans to "make a trip to the region in the coming days." In response to a clarifying question the source added that this will be a trip to Eastern Europe. The source did not specify which country or countries the British Prime Minister intends to visit.