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Boris Johnson promises ‘massive economic sanctions’ on Russia saying ‘we cannot just look away’
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Boris Johnson has promised a ‘massive package of economic sanctions to hobble the Russian economy’ following its invasion of Ukraine.
In an address to the nation this afternoon, the Prime Minister said the UK ‘cannot and will not look away’ at Russia’s ‘hideous and barbaric’ attack, with him saying President Vladimir Putin had launched a ‘vast invasion by land, by sea and by air’ without provocation.
He confirmed that the UK and allies will retaliate by launching a ‘massive package’ of sanctions to ‘hobble’ Russia’s economy.
He said: “Today in concert with our allies we will agree a massive package of economic sanctions designed in time to hobble the Russian economy.”
In the pre-recorded statement, Johnson said the Ukraine was ‘a country that for decades has enjoyed freedom and democracy and the right to choose its own destiny’.
Addressing the Ukrainian people, Johnson added: “We’re with you, we’re praying for you and your families.
Read More: All the latest as Russia launches ‘full-scale’ invasion of Ukraine
“I don’t believe the Russian dictator will subdue the national feeling of Ukrainians”.
He said the UK and the world could not allow that freedom ‘just to be snuffed out’, saying: “Our mission is clear: diplomatically, politically, economically and eventually militarily, this hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure.”
Johnson also said he had spoken with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to offer the ‘continued support of the UK’.
On the UK’s safety, he said: “We will of course do everything to keep our country safe.”
Russia launched a ‘full-scale’ invasion of Ukraine after President Putin ordered a ‘specialised military operation’ in the Donbas region late last night.
Explosions and air raid sirens were heard across the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and other major cities following the announcement of the operation, with Putin saying in a televised address that the responsibility for bloodshed lies with the Ukrainian ‘regime’.
Putin also said his goal is to ‘demilitarise’ Ukraine rather than occupy, and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to ‘consequences they have never seen’.
Throughout the last few weeks as Russian forces amassed the border, the UK has responded by sending Ukraine ‘self-defence’ weapons.
These included anti-tank missiles that uses infrared guidance to hit tanks from the top and can be used against buildings and helicopters, and Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapons (NLAW), which is launched on the shoulder and can be fired from confined spaces.
The UK is also providing cyber intelligence to Ukraine.