UK defense minister meets NATO general secretary to discuss Ukraine

• 

The UK Ministry of Defense said British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace met with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg to address the situation near Ukraine's border.

"The Defence Secretary spoke to NATO Secretary-General this afternoon to discuss the situation on Ukraine’s border. The UK and NATO are united in support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity," the ministry tweeted on Tuesday.

Wallace stated that the UK and NATO would continue monitoring the worsening the situation on Ukraine's border and the "very concerning" "buildup of Russian troops on Ukraine's border." 

Tensions between Russia and the West have risen in recent weeks, owing to rumors of Russian troops mobilizing near Ukraine's border. NATO's increase of military action along Russia's borders, which Moscow sees as a danger to its national security, was cited by Moscow.

However, Ukraine has denied reports of a Russian military buildup near its eastern border, which had raised fears of an escalation on the borders.

It is worth noting that Ukraine has aspired to join NATO since the 2008 Bucharest summit when the alliance pledged that both Ukraine and Georgia will one day become members; however, neither country has started the formal membership process yet.

UK says 'highly unlikely' to send troops to Ukraine

Earlier, Britain and other G7 countries warned Moscow that invading the former Soviet state would have "huge implications", but Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Friday that his country will look into "diplomatic and economic" options to confront Russian "aggression".

However, Britain and its allies are "highly unlikely" to send troops to intervene if Russia invades Ukraine, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told the Spectator magazine.

Moreover, Ben Wallace suggested that Britain could assist Ukraine with "capacity building", but confirmed that concerns of "serious economic sanctions" were the most likely deterrent.

He suggested that Russia be cut off from the Swift international payment network.