Boris Johnson: UK to impose asset freeze on Russia's Putin and Lavrov

Boris Johnson: UK to impose asset freeze on Russia's Putin and Lavrov
February 26, 2022, 3:53 am

Russian president Vladimir Putin (File photo: Facebook page)

The BBC reported, UK PM Boris Johnson has said that the UK will introduce sanctions against Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov "imminently."

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 BBC said, 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.

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".

Ukraine message: 25 February 2022
To the people of Ukraine: Slava Ukraini. To the people of Russia: I do not believe this war is in your name. This crisis, this tragedy, can and must come to an end. Because the world needs a free and sovereign Ukraine.
Posted by Boris Johnson on Friday, February 25, 2022

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".

According to the BBC, 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.

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It noted that 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.

Source: BBC

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