Dominic Raab has warned Russia could turn itself into even more of a “pariah” by cutting off gas supply to Poland - and threatening strikes on Western targets.
Polish and Bulgarian officials have said Moscow is withholding natural gas deliveries after they refused to meet Vladimir Putin ’s demands to pay for it in roubles.
The Deputy Prime Minister told Sky News: “We will stand shoulder to shoulder with our Polish friends and allies.
“They've said they can deal with this but of course [cutting gas supplies] will have a very damaging effect on Russia as well.
“Because it is becoming further and further, more and more not just a political pariah but an economic pariah and that will put the squeeze ultimately on Vladimir Putin.
The plans have been labelled as “blackmail” by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Mr Raab also said that Russia’s threat of a “proportional response” to the use of British weapons for Ukrainian strikes on Russian soil would be “unlawful.”
He said: “We're entitled, all states are entitled to provide military support to any state exercising the right of lawful defence against an aggressive invasion.
“Frankly if Russia starts threatening other countries it only adds further to their pariah status and will only further the solidarity and consensus in the international community that they must be stopped.”
Russia’s threats of a “proportional response” came after Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said it was “not necessarily a problem” if Ukrainian airstrikes on Russian infrastructure used British weapons.
No specific targets were mentioned, but British diplomats could be at risk if Britain’s Kyiv embassy is attacked.
Boris Johnson had announced last week that the embassy would be reopened, “dependent” on the security situation.
A Kremlin spokesperson said: “As we have warned, the Russian armed forces are in round-the-clock readiness to launch retaliatory strikes with high-precision long-range weapons at decision-making centres in Kyiv.”
The UK’s ambassador to Ukraine, Melinda Simmons, is poised to become one of the first diplomats to return.
Ukraine’s response to Russia’s brutal invasion has led to massive flames and plumes of smoke overnight in Russian regions near the border.
Explosions were heard in the city of Belgorod and an ammunition depot in the province was on fire, but regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that no civilians had been hurt in the fire.
When asked about Ukraine’s chances of victory over Russia, Mr Raab said that the “conflict is in the balance.”
