The Ukraine conflict could last “a number of years” and the UK needs to be “prepared for a very long haul” in facing down Russian aggression, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has told Sky News.

Speaking to the Trevor Phillips On Sunday show, Ms Truss praised the “very, very strong and brave” Ukrainian resistance against Russian forces moving through their country.

“This could be a number of years because what we do know is Russia has strong forces,” she said.

“But we know that the Ukrainians are brave, they’re determined to stand up for their sovereignty and territorial integrity, and they’re determined to fight.”

The foreign secretary warned that Western sanctions on Moscow “will take time to have an effect and debilitate the Russian economy”.

“This is not going to be, I fear, over quickly,” she added. “We need to be prepared for a very long haul.”

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