By UK to impose sanctions on Russia’s President Putin
The UK will introduce sanctions against Russia‘s President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov “imminently”.
According to the UK’s sanctions list they will face asset freezes – something also being imposed by the EU and the US – but not a travel ban.
The announcement comes after Russia invaded Ukraine, with tanks since entering the capital Kyiv and fighting occuring overnight in the streets.
Mr Johnson said the world must ensure Mr Putin’s “act of aggression” fails.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has provoked condemnation from countries in the West and retaliatory sanctions.
Speaking to the Nato military alliance in a virtual meeting, Mr Johnson said a “catastrophe was engulfing Ukraine” and Mr Putin was engaging in a mission to “overturn the post-Cold War order”.
The prime minister warned allies that Putin’s ambitions might not stop at Ukraine, adding it was “vital” Nato was strengthened now in response to what was a “Euro-Atlantic crisis with global consequences”.
Mr Johnson said the UK stood ready for any request from Nato to go further with military support.
On Friday evening, in a video posted on social media, he addressed the people of Russia directly, saying in Russian: “I do not believe this war is in your name.”
He also spoke Ukrainian after urging an end to the conflict, saying “the world needs a free and sovereign Ukraine”.
The US is also imposing a travel ban on Mr Putin and Mr Lavrov, something the UK and EU have not adopted for now.
However, the allies have not removed Russia from the international banking system Swift – something Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for.
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