The UK has imposed a sweeping set of sanctions on Russia in response to the atrocities committed in Ukraine.
Asset freezes have been imposed on Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank, and the Credit Bank of Moscow.
All new outward investment to Russia has been banned and the UK has also committed to end all imports of Russian coal and oil by the end of the year, with gas to follow as soon as possible.
Imports of Russian iron and steel products will be banned and a further eight oligarchs have also been added to the sanctions list.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the package was “some of our toughest sanctions yet”. Picture date: Tuesday March 29, 2022.
Kirsty O'Connor
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the package was “some of our toughest sanctions yet”.
The Prime Minister pledged Britain will be in the “front rank” of nations imposing new sanctions on Moscow.
The UK’s latest package of sanctions came as the US and European Union also acted against Russia.
The Foreign Secretary said: “Our latest wave of measures will bring an end to the UK’s imports of Russian energy and sanction yet more individuals and businesses, decimating (Vladimir) Putin’s war machine.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said "I’m afraid, when you look at what’s happening in Bucha, the revelations that we are seeing from what Putin has done in Ukraine doesn’t look far short of genocide to me."Picture date: Tuesday April 5, 2022.
Justin Tallis
“Together with our allies, we are showing the Russian elite that they cannot wash their hands of the atrocities committed on Putin’s orders.
“We will not rest until Ukraine prevails.”
Ukrainian officials have said the bodies of at least 410 civilians have been discovered in Bucha and other towns around the capital, Kyiv, recaptured from the Russians as their forces pull back.
Speaking during a visit to a hospital in Welwyn Garden City, Mr Johnson said the latest disclosures underline the need for the international community to tighten the economic pressure on the Kremlin.
“I’m afraid, when you look at what’s happening in Bucha, the revelations that we are seeing from what Putin has done in Ukraine doesn’t look far short of genocide to me,” he said.
“It is no wonder people are responding in the way that they are.
“I have no doubt that the international community, Britain very much in the front rank, will be moving again in lockstep to impose more sanctions and more penalties on Vladimir Putin’s regime.”