Foreign Secretary David Lammy will set out the sanctions on Monday to coincide with the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine
Britain is to unveil a raft of new sanctions to “turn the screws” on Russia.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy will set out the sanctions on Monday to coincide with the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
He said they aim to hit the country’s revenues and hamper Vladimir Putin’s “military machine” – as the UK works with the US and European partners to achieve “sustainable, just peace”.
He said: “On the battlefield we remain committed to providing £3billion of military support a year to put Ukraine in the strongest position possible, and being ready and willing to provide UK troops as part of peacekeeping forces if necessary.
“Off the battlefield, we will work with the US and European partners to achieve a sustainable, just peace, and in doing so, remaining clear that there can be nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.
“This is also the time to turn the screws on Putin’s Russia. Tomorrow, I plan to announce the largest package of sanctions against Russia since the early days of the war – eroding their military machine and reducing revenues fuelling the fires of destruction in Ukraine.”
Meanwhile Keir Starmer made an “iron-clad” commitment to ending the war during a phone call with Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of Mr Starmer’s crunch talks with Donald Trump next week.
“The Prime Minister began by reiterating the UK’s ironclad support for Ukraine and commitment to securing a just and enduring peace to bring an end to Russia’s illegal war,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.
The pair agreed to “continue working together with allies to achieve peace through strength”. “They agreed that this was a significant moment for the future of Ukraine and European security at large,” the spokesperson said.
“The Prime Minister repeated that Ukraine must be at the heart of any negotiations to end the war and that safeguarding Ukraine’s sovereignty was essential to deter future aggression from Russia.” Mr Starmer said he would be progressing the discussions when he meets Donald Trump in Washington this week.
On a call with Ursula Von Der Leyen later, the two leaders discussed the “need to secure a just and enduring peace in Ukraine, and agreed that Europe must step up for the good of collective European security”, Downing Street said.
Mr Lammy added: “As we mark three years since Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we also mark three years of Britain standing united with Ukraine, supporting them through military and humanitarian aid, welcoming Ukrainian refugees to our communities and standing firm against Putin’s aggression, his imperialist aims, and his threat to our continent’s security.
“This is a critical moment in the history of Ukraine, Britain and all of Europe.
“The repercussions of Putin’s invasion have already been felt far beyond the frontline, and here in the UK – including through increased energy prices, which have hit British families hard.
“And the threats to the UK, our institutions and way of life go far beyond that, showing that we must never take our security for granted.”
