Basildon and Billericay’s MP has called on the UK and its western allies to ‘square up’ to Vladimir Putin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

John Baron made the plea during a speech in Parliament yesterday where he said it was time to spend more money on the UK’s defences.

However, Mr Baron stopped short of calling for intervention in Ukraine.

Asking a question in the House of Commons, the MP said: “The house is united in its condemnation, but I suggest to the Prime Minister that the lessons to be addressed from this affair started with Russia’s invasion of Georgia in 2008, and not in 2014.

“Many of us across the House have been warning about Russia and yet the response has been weak.

“Does the Prime Minister accept that, as we enter the battle for democracy globally, we must understand that the sooner that we square up to the playground bully the better, and that we must adequately support our hard and soft power to do that?”

Boris Johnson responded by admitting “the scales from had fallen from the eyes of many friends and partners” regarding relationships with the Russian president.

Mr Johnson agreed Mr Putin’s aggression should have been dealt with before now, but suggested it was other forms of intervention - other than military - that would be important to prevent war across Europe.

Mr Baron added: “The Prime Minister is right to say that the scales have fallen from the eyes of many people, but some of us have been warning of the risks posed by the Russians for a long time.

“Our hard power must be increased by boosting our defence spending, and soft power resources such as the British Council and the BBC Russian and Ukrainian services must be taken further to build links and ensure a constant stream of accurate and impartial news.”

“In the forthcoming battle for democracy globally, an important element will be the battle for hearts and minds – it was soft power that ultimately led to victory in the Cold War.”