Matt Dathan Home Affairs Editor
Russia reneged on a pledge to end
military exercises within striking
distance of the Ukrainian capital
yesterday, fuelling fears that an
invasion was imminent.
Deployment of Russian forces in
Belarus, widely seen as cover for a poss-
ible incursion towards Kyiv, will con-
tinue indefinitely, Moscow announced.
President Biden cancelled plans to
Invasion fears rise after Russia fails to withdraw troops
Catherine Philp Kyiv travel to his home state of Delaware
last night to remain in Washington as
concern grew that a Russian invasion of
Ukraine could begin within hours.
The US embassy in Moscow advised
Americans to leave Russia, warning
that there had been threats of attacks
against public places in the capital and
St Petersburg.
Russia and Belarus had given repeated
assurances that the exercises, involving
30,000 troops and advanced weapons
systems, would end as scheduled.
Antony Blinken, the US secretary of
state, said the decision to keep Russian
troops in Belarus was the latest sign
that Moscow was gearing up for an in-
vasion, with Putin “following the script
almost to the letter”. He added: “It tells
us that the playbook we laid out... about
Russia trying to create a series of provo-
cations as justifications for aggression
against Ukraine, is going forward.”
Boris Johnson admitted that thethreat of sanctions might not deter
Putin from invading if he is “thinking
illogically” and that his attack plans
had “already in some senses begun”.
The prime minister spoke to
President Macron of France and
agreed the next week would be “crucial
for diplomacy”. Earlier Macron held a
105-minute call with Putin, and a
second conversation hours later.
The Élysée said Putin had insisted
that Russian troops would leave Bela-rus once military exercises were
finished, but did not give a date. Vlad-
imir Makei, Belarus’s foreign minister,
said last week that “not a single Russian
serviceman and not a single piece of
Russian military hardware will remain
after these manoeuvres”.
In eastern Ukraine, where the coun-
try’s army has faced Kremlin-backed
separatists for eight years, shelling has
intensified along the front line.
Ukraine crisis, pages 10-Boris Johnson will hail a “moment of
pride” for the nation today as he
announces the end of all remaining
coronavirus restrictions in England.
The prime minister will emphasise
the importance of “personal responsi-
bility” instead of government inter-
vention as he unveils his plan for the
country to “live with Covid”.
It includes a drive to end mass
working from home. Vaccines will be
used for the foreseeable future to
maintain a high level of immunity in
the population.
Speaking before publication of the
government’s plan, Johnson said: “[It]
will mark a moment of pride after one
of the most difficult periods in
our country’s history as we
begin to learn to live with
Covid.
“It would not be
possible without the
efforts of so many — the
NHS who delivered the
life-saving vaccine rollout
at phenomenal speed, our
world-leading scientists and
experts, and the general public
for their commitment to protecting
themselves and their loved ones.
“The pandemic is not over but
thanks to the incredible vaccine rollout
we are now one step closer towards
a return to normality and finally
giving people back their freedoms
while continuing to protect ourselves
and others.”
The most controversial move to
be announced by Johnson today will
be the decision to scrap the legal
requirement to self-isolate after
testing positive for the virus. It is
expected to be replaced by guidance.
Labour said that it was too early to
end self-isolation and demanded that
the prime minister publish scientific
The Queen tested positive for the
coronavirus yesterday and is
experiencing “mild cold-like
symptoms”.
Buckingham Palace said she
would receive medical attention
but expects to continue “light
duties” during her isolation at
Windsor Castle.
The news that the Queen, 95,
has contracted the virus is
still likely to cause
concern because of her
age. She is believed to
be triple-vaccinated
but had until recently
been on doctors’
orders since mid-
October to rest.
Boris Johnson tweeted:
“I’m sure I speak for
everyone in wishing Her
Majesty the Queen a swift
recovery from Covid and a rapid
return to vibrant good health.”
The Queen is the latest member
of the royal family to have the
virus. The Duchess of Cornwall
tested positive a week ago, four
days after her husband. Cases have
also occurred among courtiers.
The news came at the end of a
difficult week for the monarchy.
The Duke of York has settled a
sexual assault case, and
Scotland Yard has started an
investigation into a cash-for-
honours allegation involving the
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gameImpostor fear The actress Dame Helen Mirren said she did not feel she deserved
the lifetime achievement award she will receive in Los Angeles next week. Page 5PM to remove all
Covid restrictions
evidence before making the move.
“At this stage it is not the right thing to
do,” Wes Streeting, the shadow health
secretary, said yesterday.
The changes announced by Johnson
will apply only to England, but Scotland
and Wales are likely to follow next
month. Northern Ireland scrapped all
remaining Covid measures last week.
The prime minister said yesterday
that “the pandemic is not over” and
insisted the ending of restrictions
was not a green light for people to
“totally throw caution to the winds”
because Covid “remains a dangerous
disease”.
He added that today represented an
important moment after “one of the
most difficult periods in our country’s
history”.
He will chair a special meeting of his
cabinet today to finalise details on
ending the legal requirement to self-
isolate and a phased end to free corona-
virus testing as part of efforts to reduce
the government’s huge pandemic bill.
On a busy day in Westminster,
Johnson will then announce the
living with Covid plan in a statement
in the Commons. That will be followed
by what could be the final
coronavirus press conference in
Downing Street.
Free lateral flow tests are costing
taxpayers £2 billion per month and
today’s plan is expected to announce a
date when the tests will no longer be
universally free of charge, which is like-
ly to be in the spring.
Free tests are expected to be limited
to a new list of key workers. Trade union
leaders said that charging for corona-
virus tests would be an “act of madness”
in the middle of a cost-of-living
crisis. The TUC called for lateral flow
and PCR tests to remain free for all who
needed access to them. Introducing
charges would disproportionately hit
Continued on page 2, col 3Johnson says scrapping self-isolation is proud moment for nation
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