800 Russian soldiers a day die due to 'Putin's ego,' says UK foreign secretary

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) – British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said Friday that Russian soldiers are paying for "Putin's ego" with their lives.

Speaking at the UN Security Council, Cleverly said "Putin cannot, must not win in Ukraine," discussing the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.

He added that what is at stake on the battlefields is the international order itself.

"His land grabs in eastern and southern Ukraine show us that his heart is set on imperial expansion. But 800 Russian soldiers a day are dying for his hopeless ambitions. They are paying for his ego with their lives," asserted Cleverly.

He said those who are in the chamber with special responsibility to the UN Charter cannot allow Russian threats to succeed.

"We must not deviate from our resolve," Cleverly said and added that military support and humanitarian aid to Ukraine are not enough.

"Because when this war is over, and it will be over with Ukraine's successful defense of its territory, we must never allow Ukraine again to be left vulnerable to attack."

Friday marks the first anniversary of the Russia's war in Ukraine which started on Feb. 24, 2022.