Britain will ban entry for Kremlin-linked Russian oligarchs, under new sanctions set to be announced exactly three years after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Local and federal politicians as well as managers or directors of large Russian companies will face exclusion from the UK under the rules, which come on top of existing travel bans on high-profile business figures such as Roman Abramovich.
The new measures would complement Britain’s existing sanctions against Russian “elites” who were supporting Vladimir Putin‘s war effort, the Government said.
Security minister Dan Jarvis said his message to Putin’s friends in Moscow was simple: “You are not welcome in the UK.”
“The measures announced today slam the door shut to the oligarchs who have enriched themselves at the expense of the Russian people whilst bankrolling this illegal and unjustifiable war,” he said in a statement.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “Keeping the Ukrainians in their fight and as strong as possible at any negotiating table is critical not only for them, but for the security of the UK.
“These new measures send a powerful message that we will do what it takes to turn the tables on Putin’s aggression.”
It comes just days before Sir Keir Starmer will travel to Washington to discuss the war in Ukraine with Donald Trump.
French president Emmanuel Macron is due to visit the White House on Monday.
On Sunday, No 10 said the Prime Minister had agreed Macron to show “united leadership” in support of Kyiv.
Speaking at the Scottish Labour conference in Glasgow, the Starmer said: “Nobody wants the bloodshed to continue, least of all the Ukrainians.
“But after everything that they have suffered, after everything they have fought for, there can be no discussion about Ukraine without Ukraine, and the people of Ukraine must have a long-term, secure future.”
Starmer is also facing pressure to use the trip to confirm a timeline to raise UK defence spending to 2.5 per cent of national income amid US demands that Europe shoulder the overwhelming burden of security on the continent.
Both European leaders are expected to try to convince Trump not to rush to a ceasefire deal with Putin at any cost, and to tell him to keep Europe involved in the process, and will discuss military guarantees to Ukraine.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelensky said he is ready to step down as Ukraine’s president if it would bring peace to his country.
“If there is peace for Ukraine, if you really need me to leave my post, I am ready…I can exchange it for Nato,” Zelensky said during a forum in Kyiv on Sunday.
He added: “I am focusing on security today and not in 20 years’ time. I don’t plan to be in power for 10 years.”
The comments come after Trump described Zelensky as a “dictator” for not holding elections, which are banned under martial law in Ukraine.
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