Putin may use Ukraine peace talks to rearm, warns British foreign minister

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has warned peace talks could result in Russia rearming (Aaron Chown/PA)

President Vladimir Putin could use any peace talks over Ukraine as an opportunity to rebuild Russia’s battered forces for a fresh onslaught, British foreign secretary James Cleverly has warned.

Mr Cleverly said Western powers needed to be “very, very careful” if the Russian leader sought to initiate negotiations purporting to seek an end to the conflict.