When will Boris Johnson address the nation today? UK time of announcement as Putin starts Russia-Ukraine war

Boris Johnson will make an address to the nation today after Russian President Vladimir Putin began military action against Ukraine.

The Prime Minister condemned the Russian president for choosing “a path of bloodshed and destruction”, and branded the invasion a “catastrophe for our continent”.

Mr Johnson has called on world leaders to meet and plan a response, and is expected to announce further sanctions.

When will Boris Johnson make an address?

The PM will address the nation on Thursday (24 February) at 12pm, Downing Street has said.

He will also make a statement to MPs in the House of Commons from 5pm.

Mr Johnson chaired a Cobra emergency committee meeting earlier this morning to discuss the next steps, following his call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky during the night as Russia launched its assault.

It came as Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, accused Mr Putin of “bringing war back to Europe”.

In a statement, The Prime Minister said: “This is a catastrophe for our continent.

“I will make an address to the nation this morning on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“I will also speak to fellow G7 leaders and I am calling for an urgent meeting of all Nato leaders as soon as possible.”

What action could be taken against Russia?

Mr Johnson has promised to respond “decisively” to the Russian onslaught, despite his initial package of sanctions being criticised by senior Tories and opposition figures.

He said: “I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelensky to discuss next steps.

“President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine.

“The UK and our allies will respond decisively.”

A Downing Street spokesman said Mr Johnson has assured Mr Zelensky during an early morning telephone call that the West will “not stand by as President Putin waged his campaign against the Ukrainian people”.

Russia said it had only targeted Ukrainian air bases and other military assets, not populated areas.

However, Mr Putin warned in a televised address that any attempt by other countries to interfere with the Russian action would lead to “consequences they have never seen”.

He said Russia does not intend to occupy Ukraine, and claimed responsibility for bloodshed lies with the Ukrainian “regime”.

Explosions could be heard in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv shortly after Mr Putin’s address, while explosions were also reported in the cities of Odesa and Kharkiv.

Elsewhere, footage appeared to show queues of people fleeing their homes, and Russian military crossing the border into Ukraine.

Foreign Office minister James Cleverly described Putin’s comments as “bully” tactics and said the UK will respond with “unprecedented” sanctions “to punish the appalling decision” by Russia’s leader.

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