Gavin Williamson: World's patience wearing thin with Putin
Gavin Williamson accused Russia of trying to divide Britain and its allies, as he warned: "The world's patience is rather wearing thin with President Putin."
The fact that the world was united behind the UK was in 'itself a defeat for Putin', said the Defence Secretary, who described the support as a 'powerful message to the Kremlin'.
The South Staffordshire MP was speaking during a visit to Tallinn, Estonia, where he met with British soldiers who are based there as part of a NATO mission in the Baltic states to deter Russian aggression.
He addressed the troops with his Estonian counterpart, Juri Luik, who said Estonia was prepared to stand by the UK, just as the UK had stood by his country.
"The world's patience is rather wearing thin with President Putin and his actions, and the fact that right across the NATO alliance, right across the European Union, nations have stood up in support of the United Kingdom...I actually think that is the very best response that we could have," Mr Williamson said.
"Their [the Kremlin's] intention, their aim is to divide and what we are seeing is the world uniting behind the British stance, and that in itself is a great victory and sends an exceptionally powerful message to the Kremlin and President Putin."
Mr Williamson has been a huge critic of Russia since taking over at the Ministry of Defence last November.
Earlier this month he said Russia should 'go away and shut up' when asked how the Kremlin should respond to 23 of its diplomats, thought to be spies, being expelled from the UK over the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter.
He has also accused Russia of 'ripping up the international rulebook' to subvert other countries as it continues to increase military expenditure despite its struggling economy.
