UK prepares new sanctions package against Russia
Photo: Keir Starmer (Getty Images)
The UK government plans to announce a new package of sanctions against Russia soon, as allies try to bring Russia to the negotiating table, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says.
The Prime Minister will "launch continued action to hit Putin where it hurts and make it clear that we will continue to ratchet up pressure until Russia is ready to commit to a full and unconditional ceasefire, and show they are serious about working towards a just and sustainable peace," sources in the British government say.
Starmer is expected to deliver a speech in which he will state that "Russia doesn't hold all the cards" and call on allies to "take this moment to increase economic pressure and show President Putin it is in his - and Russia's interests - to demonstrate he is serious about peace."
New sanctions against Russia
The leadership of the European Union, the United Kingdom, and a number of other European countries plan to ban companies from cooperating with two Chinese banks that helped Russia circumvent existing trade sanctions.
These restrictions may be included in the draft 18th EU sanctions package, which aims to increase pressure on Moscow to achieve a quick ceasefire and start peace talks. The European Commission is expected to present a new package of sanctions by the end of June, and approval among all member states is expected to be obtained before the summit in Brussels on June 26.
At the same time, according to some media, the 18th package of sanctions is considered one of the toughest since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, so its approval may be difficult.
In early April, senators from the Republican and Democratic parties proposed a bill to impose severe sanctions on Russia in response to its refusal to make a long-term peace with Ukraine.
