Boris Johnson and other senior ministers are barred from entering Russia, in retaliation to sanctions imposed on Russia over invasion of Ukraine
Russia has banned the Prime Minister of United Kingdom (U.K.) – Boris Johnson and other senior ministers from entering Russia, in retaliation to sanctions imposed on Russia over invasion of Ukraine.
The list also includes Foreign Secretary – Liz Truss, Defence Secretary – Ben Wallace, the Deputy Prime Minister – Dominic Raab, The Chancellor to the Exchequer – Rishi Sunak, Home Secretary – Priti Patel among others. It also includes the Former Prime Minister – Theresa May. In all, 13 key ministers have been banned from entering Russia.
Russia accused behind the information campaign aimed at isolating Russia internationally and damaging it economically. U.K. has been part of an international effort to retaliate with asset freezes, travel bans and economic sanctions on Russia.
A Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russia read, “London’s unbridled information and political campaign aimed at isolating Russia internationally, creating conditions for containing our country and strangling the domestic economy.”
It further read, “In essence, the British leadership is deliberately aggravating the situation around Ukraine, pumping the Kyiv regime with lethal weapons and coordinating similar efforts on the part of Nato.”
However, the U.K. said it remains committed to helping Ukraine in protecting its sovereignty. Earlier this week, the U.K. and United States (U.S.) announced further sanctions on Russia. The sanctions included financial measures designed to damage Russia’s economy and penalise the President of Russia – Vladimir Putin and officials responsible for Ukraine invasion.
The President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with Boris Johnson on Saturday, i.e., April 16, 2022, a week after his visit to Kyiv. They discussed the need for a long-term security solution for Ukraine. Johnson also informed Zelensky that U.K. would be sending more weapons to Ukraine.
Taking it to twitter, Johnson tweeted, “I updated my friend @ZelenskyyUa this afternoon on further military aid we will provide to Ukraine in the coming days. The UK will stop at nothing to ensure Ukrainians have the resources they need to defend their country from the ongoing Russian onslaught. #StandWithUkraine️.”
Separately, the Russian Defence Ministry claimed it shot down a Ukrainian transport plane in the Odesa region, carrying weapons supplied by Western nations. The Kyiv suburb of Brovary came under attack by rockets. Russia has ordered Ukrainian forces in Mariupol to surrender by today, i.e., Sunday, i.e., April 17, 2022. Around 100,000 people remain in Mariupol and its immediate surroundings, which are under Russian control. Zekenskyy called the situation in Mariupol inhuman, saying any further Russian war crimes would make negotiations impossible.
Source: BBC
