The UK has positioned contemporary sanctions on Russia because the Kremlin refused to place a timeline on ceasefire talks with Ukraine.
A complete of 100 additional sanctions will goal Russia’s navy, vitality and monetary sectors, the Overseas Workplace mentioned.
The brand new measures will goal the availability chains of Russian weapons methods, together with Iskander missiles, Kremlin-funded data operations, monetary establishments that assist Russia evade sanctions and ships within the Kremlin’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers.
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The Overseas Workplace mentioned Vladimir Putin had repeatedly fired Iskander missiles into crowded civilian areas “with a callous disregard for all times”, together with on 13 April in Sumy when 34 civilians, together with kids, had been killed as some headed to Palm Sunday providers.
These new sanctions are being imposed to ratchet up strain on Mr Putin after Russia fired 273 drones at Ukrainian cities on Saturday, the most important drone assault because it invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Firefighters put out a hearth after Russia carried out its largest drone assault in Ukraine. Pic: AP
Overseas Secretary David Lammy mentioned: “Putin’s newest strikes as soon as once more present his true colors as a warmonger.
“We urge him to agree a full, unconditional ceasefire instantly so there may be talks on a simply and lasting peace.
“We’ve got been clear that delaying peace efforts will solely redouble our resolve to assist Ukraine to defend itself and use our sanctions to limit Putin’s battle machine.”
Following Donald Trump’s two-hour name with Mr Putin on Monday, the US president mentioned Russia and Ukraine will instantly begin negotiations for a ceasefire – nonetheless, the Kremlin gave no timeline regardless of Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy agreeing to 1 months in the past.
The decision prompted the UK’s new sanctions, and the EU are additionally putting extra sanctions on Russia in consequence.
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New British sanctions have additionally been positioned on 14 extra members of the Social Design Company (SDA), which carries out Kremlin-funded data operations to undermine sovereignty, democracy and the rule of regulation in Ukraine and the world over.
The UK had beforehand sanctioned the SDA and several other of its leaders final yr, however all ranges of the organisation are actually being focused.
Russian servicemen coaching in Ukraine. Pic: Russian Protection Ministry Press Service
One other 46 monetary establishments that assist Russia evade sanctions have additionally been focused.
Sanctions have additionally been positioned on an extra 18 ships, following 110 earlier this month, in Russia’s “shadow fleet”, which carry Russian oil beneath completely different flags (typically Liberian) to proceed delivery oil all over the world regardless of sanctions which have positioned a value cap on Russian oil.
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John Ormerod, a British nationwide who procured ships for Russia’s shadow fleet has been sanctioned, and two Russian captains of shadow fleet tankers.
The UK and Western allies wish to decrease the value cap of Russian crude oil from $60 a barrel to stop income from getting used to fund the battle.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in 2018. File pic: Reuters
The Overseas Workplace mentioned UK and different Western sanctions have severely hit Russia’s economic system, with its GDP shrinking within the first quarter of the yr and the non-defence economic system in recession for a while.
It mentioned safety and defence spending now accounts for greater than 40% of Russia’s federal price range, with Mr Putin elevating taxes and chopping social spending to proceed the battle.
