？
Close
Boris Johnson announces extra military support to Ukraine
Boris Johnson has announced an extra package of military support to Ukraine, including lethal aid, in the face of Russia’s “threatening behaviour”.
The eastern European country has declared a nationwide state of emergency after Russia recognised the independence of two separatist-controlled territories in the east of the country and said it was deploying troops there.
The measure, which does not include the crisis-hit Donetsk and Luhansk regions, would last for 30 days but can be extended.
Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, said a “full-scale invasion” of Ukraine was “likely” to take place within 24 hours. Mr Morrison, who has announced fresh sanctions against the Kremlin, said Russian forces were now at “peak readiness to complete a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and that is likely to occur within the next 24 hours.”
Earlier, Vladimir Putin claimed Moscow was ready to look for “diplomatic solutions” in the ongoing Ukraine crisis. “Our country is always open for direct and honest dialogue, for the search for diplomatic solutions to the most complex problems. The interests of Russia, the security of our citizens, are non-negotiable for us,” the Russian president said in a video message released on Wednesday.
Recommended Nord Stream 2: Germany halts approval of gas pipeline from Russia The conflict between Russia and Ukraine explained Ukraine-Russia map: Where could invasion take place and what is the situation along the border?
Key Points Joe Biden announces sanctions on VEB and military bank Biden-Putin meeting ‘certainly’ off the table for now White House calls Russian troop movements in eastern Ukraine an ‘invasion’ Moscow parliament grants consent to deploy troops abroad Putin claims to be ready for ‘diplomatic solutions’ in video message ‘This is about inflicting pain on Putin,’ Truss says of sanctions package Russian minister dismisses Western sanctions: ‘We’re used to it’ Australian PM warns of full-scale invasion within 24 hours Ukraine declares nationwide state of emergency
Show latest update 1645619792 More sanctions to come, PM promises
Boris Johnson has promised there are more sanctions against Russia to come, saying London, Paris and New York would squeeze Vladimir Putin at the same time.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the PM’s strategy could unintentionally send the wrong message, calling for a ban on trading in sovereign debt.
Sir Keir said: “At the weekend the Prime Minister said that if Russia invades Ukraine he will open up the Matryoshka dolls of Russian-owned companies and Russian-owned entities to find the ultimate beneficiaries within.
“Well, Russia has invaded and it’s time to act. If the Prime Minister brings forward the required legislation to do this, he will have Labour’s support, so will he commit to do so in the coming days?”
Boris Johnson replied: “We are, as I said, bringing forward in the next wave of sanctions measures that will stop all Russian banks, all oligarchs, all Russian individuals, raising money on London markets, and we are also accelerating the Economic Crime Bill which will enable us in the UK to peel back - in the next session - to peel back the facade of beneficial ownership of property in the UK and of companies.
“It’s gone on for far too long, we are going to tackle it under this Government, but on all these measures I think it is very, very important that the House remembers they are more effective when all financial centres move forward together. That is what the UK has been organising.”
Jane Dalton 23 February 2022 12:36
1645619112 Dorries cracks down on Russian broadcaster RT
Culture secretary Nadine Dorries has ordered broadcasting watchdog Ofcom to take “timely and transparent” action against the Russian state-backed broadcaster RT.
“It is essential that the UK looks to limit Russia’s ability to spread their propaganda at home,” she wrote.
In the Commons, Boris Johnson said: “We live in a democracy, Mr Speaker, and we live in a country that believes in free speech and I think it’s important that we should leave it up to Ofcom rather than to politicians to decide which media organisations to ban.
“That’s what Russia does.”
Jane Dalton 23 February 2022 12:25
1645618288 Putin has gone ‘full tonto’ over Ukraine, says defence secretary
Vladimir Putin has gone “full tonto”, the defence secretary has suggested following the latest escalation in the Ukraine crisis.
Ben Wallace said the Russian president has made the mistake of having no allies in his actions, comparing him to Tsar Nicholas I during the Crimean War.
Mr Wallace, a former Scots Guards officer, said his regiment had “kicked the backside” of the tsar in the Crimea and “we can always do it again”.
Read the full story here:
Putin has gone ‘full tonto’ over Ukraine, says Defence Secretary In unguarded comments, Ben Wallace said the Scots Guards had ‘kicked the backside’ of a Russian leader in the Crimean War and ‘we can do it again’.
Tom Batchelor 23 February 2022 12:11
1645618217 Johnson announces extra support, as Kiev declares state of emergency
Boris Johnson has announced an extra package of military support to Ukraine, including lethal aid, in the face of Russia’s “threatening behaviour”.
The prime minister told MPs: “In light of the increasingly threatening behaviour… the UK will shortly be providing a further package of military support to Ukraine.”
Boris Johnson announces extra military support to Ukraine Boris Johnson has announced an extra package of military support to Ukraine, including lethal aid, in the face of Russia’s “threatening behaviour”.
Jane Dalton 23 February 2022 12:10
1645617688 ‘Stop Mad Vlad!’: How the papers covered the threat of war in Ukraine
From “Stop Mad Vlad” to “We’ll grab him by the Roubles” - there was no shortage of Russian-themed wordplays and puns on the front pages of UK newspapers this morning.
Here is a roundup of some of them:
‘Stop Mad Vlad!’: How the papers covered the threat of war in Ukraine Front pages dominated by war tensions as sanctions are rolled out on Russia
Tom Batchelor 23 February 2022 12:01
1645617088 Sanctions package ‘won’t seriously affect the Russian economy’
Jason Hungerford, trade expert and partner at global law firm Mayer Brown, says the latest sanctions “do not include measures that would seriously affect the Russian economy”.
He said: “Each of the US, UK, EU, Canada and Japan has said that their sanctions are intended to be a first step in a staged approach to penalising Russia for its actions. The sanctions announced yesterday are significant in some respects, but many are still largely symbolic.
“For example, with one exception, the new sanctions targeting Russian banks apply to niche, lower-tier banks. Most of the sanctions targeting Russian politicians are also unlikely to have a material effect on the Russian economy. These are a shot across the bow, so to speak.
“They are meant to show resolve, but also restraint in hopes that Russia will relent. These sanctions communicate the intention of the sanctioning countries, but they do not include measures that would seriously affect the Russian economy.
“Additional restriction targeting the Russian financial sector will very likely be part of any second round of sanctions. This would likely include making more consequential Russian banks subject to asset freeze measures, in essence prohibiting virtually all dealings with them.
“The Russian energy sector will also be a target, and further restrictions could be placed on dealing with major Russian companies in that part of the economy, as well as on dealing in Russian product.”
Tom Batchelor 23 February 2022 11:51
1645616668 Who are Russians with ‘close personal ties to Putin’ targeted by UK’s sanctions?
Boris Johnson told the Commons on Tuesday that immediate sanctions would be deployed against the Russian banks Rossiya, IS Bank, General Bank, Promsvyazbank and the Black Sea Bank, as well as three “very high net wealth individuals”.
But who exactly are the targets? Here’s what you need to know:
Who are the Russians targeted by UK’s sanctions? The UK has sanctioned three billionaires and five banks largely for their roles in Crimea
Tom Batchelor 23 February 2022 11:44
1645616008 EU ‘approve first package of sanctions on Russia'
The European Union’s member states have given their green light, via their envoys in Brussels, to a first package of sanctions on Russia, an EU diplomat has told Reuters.
The sanctions still need formal approval by the foreign ministers, something that will be handled in written procedure by 2pm GMT and can normally be taken for granted after the EU ambassadors’ decision.
The sanctions will enter into force once they are published in the EU’s official journal, a step expected later on Wednesday.
Tom Batchelor 23 February 2022 11:33
1645615336 Biden-Putin meeting off as tensions rise over Ukraine crisis
A proposed meeting between Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin is “certainly not in the plans” anymore, the White House has said following Russia’s recognition of two breakaway states in eastern Ukraine and decision to send troops to the region.
Speaking on Tuesday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said tensions over the Ukraine crisis would have to ease before such a meeting between the two leaders took place.
Here is the latest:
Biden-Putin meeting off as tensions rise over Ukraine crisis Proposed meeting between the two presidents is ‘certainly not in the plans’ anymore, White House says
Tom Batchelor 23 February 2022 11:22
1645614688 China accuses US of creating ‘fear and panic'
China has accused the US of creating “fear and panic” over the crisis in Ukraine, with foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying saying Beijing opposes new sanctions on Russia – reiterating a longstanding Chinese position.
She said the US was fueling tensions by providing weapons to Kyiv in response to Russia’s large troop deployment around Ukraine‘s borders and fears of an invasion.
Ms Hua said China wants multilateral talks to ease the mounting international tension over Ukraine.
Tom Batchelor 23 February 2022 11:11
Newer 1 / 7 Older