London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

Ukraine conflict: UK to impose sanctions on Russia's President Putin

Ukraine conflict: 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", Boris Johnson has said.

According to the UK's sanctions list they will face asset freezes - a measure also being imposed by the EU and the US - but not a travel ban.

The announcement comes a day after Russia invaded Ukraine, with tanks since entering the capital Kyiv.

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 leaders of 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 the Russian president'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".

'Maximum pain'


It is unclear how significant Mr Putin and Mr Lavrov's assets in the US, EU and UK are and what practical impact the sanctions will have on them.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the pair joined Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in being the only world leaders to be sanctioned by the EU.

The US is also imposing a travel ban on Mr Putin and Mr Lavrov - a move the UK and EU have not adopted for now.

However, the allies stopped short of removing Russia from the international banking system Swift - something Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for.

On Friday, Mr Johnson reiterated his plea for world leaders to take "immediate action" on removing Russia from Swift to "inflict maximum pain on President Putin and his regime".

Some of the most stringent sanctions announced this week by Western nations include:

*  asset freezes on major banks and wealthy individuals

*  restrictions on the Russian government and companies' ability to conduct transactions in dollars and pounds

*  limiting access to technology for energy, military and other high-tech equipment

*  A hold on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany

The announcement that Mr Putin and Mr Lavrov will be targeted comes after the UK announced a package of strengthened sanctions against Russia on Thursday.

Russian banks, businesses and oligarchs were targeted in the measures.

The national airline Aeroflot was also banned from landing at UK airports or flying through its airspace - with Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announcing on Friday night that the same measure would apply to all Russian private jets.


The symbolism of freezing the UK assets of President Putin himself and those of his foreign minister couldn't be plainer.

As with the EU though, which has announced the same, questions are likely to be asked about how many assets either man personally has in the UK.

The move that is believed could have a significant impact would be removing Russian banks from the international Swift system, which facilitates money transfers.

The prime minister is pushing for that but it can't be done by the UK alone, so diplomatic efforts to persuade other allies continue.

Members of the Ukrainian National Guard are pictured taking position in Ukraine's capital Kyiv


Meanwhile, Western officials believe the more resistance Russians encounter from Ukrainian forces, the more brutal and indiscriminate they become.

Russia has been continuing its assault from the north, south and east, but Ukrainian resistance has been inflicting casualties on Russian forces.

Sources suggest the brutality of Russian forces is being ramped up in the face of this resistance - an assessment experts delivered at a meeting of the UK's cabinet ministers on Thursday night.

'Reckless aggression'


Earlier, the Belarussian ambassador to the UK, Maxim Yermalovich, was summoned to the Foreign Office over his country's role in the invasion.

Minister for Europe and North America James Cleverly made clear Belarus had "aided and abetted" Russia's "reckless aggression", the Foreign Office said.

The UK has already said sanctions will be applied to Belarus, a long-term ally of Russia.

Also on Friday Mr Johnson spoke to Mr Zelensky, pledging more support in coming days.

Mr Zelensky said Ukraine "needs the support of partners more than ever" and called for stronger sanctions.

Nato - the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation - is a military alliance originally formed in 1949 by 12 countries, including the US, Canada, the UK and France.

Members agree to come to one another's aid in the event of an armed attack against any member state. Ukraine is not in Nato but wants to join the alliance.

Russia had sought assurances this would never be allowed to happen.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×