Britain To Unveil Large Package Of Sanctions On Russia

By RFE/RL February 23, 2025

London will unveil a significant package of sanctions against Russia on February 24, the anniversary of the start of Moscow's full-scale war with Ukraine, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on February 23.

The sanction will be the largest package against Russia since the early days of the war, he said. They will be aimed at "eroding their military machine and reducing revenues fueling the fires of destruction in Ukraine," Lammy said in a statement.

"This is also the time to turn the screws on [President Vladimir] Putin's Russia," Lammy said.

Lammy reiterated Britain's military backing for Kyiv, which includes a pledge to provide £3 billion ($3.78 billion) annually and its readiness to provide British troops as part of peacekeeping forces if necessary.

"Off the battlefield, we will work with the U.S. and European partners to achieve a sustainable, just peace, and in doing so, remaining clear that there can be nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine," Lammy added.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on February 22 held separate phone calls with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, repeating a similar message to Lammy's.

EU countries last week agreed a new round of sanctions that are set to be formally adopted on February 24. They include a ban on imports of Russian aluminum.

Starmer is scheduled to travel to Washington to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on February 27, hoping to act as a "bridge" between the U.S. and Europe to ensure territorial and security guarantees for Kyiv in the event of a deal to end the war.

Lammy's announcement comes after the United States alarmed Kyiv and its European backers by starting talks with Russia on the future of the conflict without the participation Ukraine or the European Union.

"This is a critical moment in the history of Ukraine, Britain, and all of Europe.... Now is the time for Europe to double down on our support for Ukraine," said Lammy.

London already has imposed sanctions on 1,900 people and organizations with link's to Putin's government since the start of the war.

With reporting by AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/britain-sanctions-zelenskiy- zelenskyy-lammy/33324642.html

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Britain To Unveil Large Package Of Sanctions On Russia