Vladimir Putin has ‘overwhelming forces for invasion’, Ben Wallace in dire war warning

War fears are rife despite Moscow’s insistence yesterday that Russian troops were withdrawing from the Ukrainian border.

US President Joe Biden has already casted doubt over the legitimacy of the Kremlin’s claims as he urged Mr Putin to “step back from the brink of war”.

And now Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said: “The Russians have overwhelming forces over Ukraine and if they really wish to inflict violence and invade, they could do that.

“The Ukrainians would put up a brave resistance. I made it very clear to the Russians the Ukrainians will fight, but those odds are overwhelming and no one should delude themselves that they’re not.”

On advice to Brits in the region, he added: “We are in a position where we don’t think President Putin has made a final decision, which is again why we think those forces are still poised at readiness and until that decision is made and communicated by the Kremlin, I think the citizens, either dual nationals or British citizens in Ukraine, should continue to follow the well-considered Foreign Office advice and seek to either leave or avoid travel to Ukraine.”

And in a statement of intent to he reasserted that NATO has an “open-door policy”.

He told Sky News: “We will accept applications and consider, as the 30 members, anyone who wishes to choose to join NATO.”