Handout photo issued by UK Parliament of MPs giving a standing ovation after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed MPs in the House of Commons via videolink on the latest situation in Ukraine on Tuesday, 8 March 2022

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       Handout photo issued by UK Parliament of MPs giving a standing ovation after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed MPs in the House of Commons via videolink on the latest situation in Ukraine on Tuesday, 8 March 2022

       (UK Parliament/PA)

       Britain’s decision to phase out Russian oil by the end of the year will send a “powerful signal” to the world, said Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky.

       Welcoming the coordinated announcement between the US and the UK to financially hurt Russia over its decision, Mr Zelensky said: “Either Russia will respect international law and not wage wars, or it will have no money.”

       Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng urged businesses to “use this year to ensure a smooth transition so that consumers will not be affected.”

       Further tightening the sanctions, UK has made it a criminal offence for the Russian planes to enter UK airspace.

       The Ukrainian president had evoked British war leader, Sir Winston Churchill, in an emotional address to MPs, as he vowed to fight Russian troops on all fronts.

       “We will fight until the end, at sea, in the air. We will continue fighting for our land, whatever the cost,” he said.

       “We will fight in the forest, in the fields, on the shores, in the streets.”

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       Key points UK’s decision to phase out Russian oil a ‘powerful signal’ to the world UK tightens aviation sanctions against Russia Service personnel banned from travelling to Ukraine Ministers consider new fracking steps

       Show latest update 1646802806 Ministers consider new fracking steps

       With the UK government’s decision to phase out the import of Russian oil by the end of the year, ministers are now considering steps that could lead to a fracking rethink in the country to tackle the energy crisis.

       Caudrilla sites in Lancashire may be handed over to the Royal Geographical Society than being concreted over, reported PA.

       Former Cabinet minister Lord Frost encouraged the government, saying it was a “sensible first step”.Robert Jenrick, a former communities secretary called for a “more pragmatic energy policy” .“I personally was always a supporter of fracking, I don’t think it’s a quick fix, but I think we should be revisiting that question,” he told BBC Newsnight.

       The government, however, on Monday had said denied lifting of fracking moratorium with energy minister Lord Callanan warning of “severe environmental problems” with shale gas production.

       The UK imposed moratorium on fracking in November 2019 after it caused two minor earthquakes in the country.

       Read the details here:

       Ministers considering new fracking steps while seeking to phase out Russian oil Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, has been under a ‘moratorium’ for over two years.

       Namita Singh 9 March 2022 05:13

       1646801288 Service personnel banned from travelling to Ukraine

       Amid the reports of British soldiers traveling to Ukraine to fight the Russian invasion, the Ministry of Defense has said that service personnel are banned from going to the war-torn country.

       “All service personnel are prohibited from travelling to Ukraine until further notice,” said a Ministry of Defence spokesperson.

       “This applies whether the service person is on leave or not. Personnel travelling to Ukraine will face disciplinary and administrative consequences.”

       The statement comes following the reports that a 19-year-old Coldstream Guardsman is among the four British soldiers feared to have left for Ukraine to fight against Russia.

       The MoD, however, declined to comment on specific cases.

       Report:

       Service personnel prohibited from travelling to Ukraine, MoD says The MoD statement comes amid reports that soldiers may have gone to join the fight in Ukraine.

       Namita Singh 9 March 2022 04:48

       1646799866 UK tightens aviation sanctions against Russia

       The government has made it a criminal offence for any Russian aircraft to enter UK airspace.

       Transport secretary Grant Shapps informed all UK airports that from 5 pm on Tuesday, air traffic control now has the power to tell pilots of Russian aircraft to not enter UK airspace, or to leave it by a certain route, reported Sky News.

       Also, Airport operators can detain Russian aircraft under the new law. The policy is in line with “other sectors within the sanctions regime” that have been applied since Russia attacked Ukraine two weeks back, Mr Shapps said.

       Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport of the United Kingdom, arrives to attend the government weekly cabinet meeting at Downing Street on 8 March 2022 in London, England

       (Getty Images)

       Namita Singh 9 March 2022 04:24

       1646798701 UK’s decision to phase out Russian oil a ‘powerful signal’ to the world

       President Volodymyr Zelensky has hailed Britain’s decision to phase out Russian oil by the end of the year, saying it will send a “powerful signal” to the world.

       In his daily address to Ukraine , Mr Zelensky said: “This is a powerful signal to the whole world.

       “Either Russia will respect internal law and not wage wars, or it will have no money.”

       A handout photograph released by the UK Parliament shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (on screen) addressing via video-link the House of Commons Chamber about the situation in Ukraine, in London, Britain

       (UK Parliament/EPA)

       Namita Singh 9 March 2022 04:05

       1646797426

       Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of UK politics for Wednesday, 9 March 2022

       Namita Singh 9 March 2022 03:43