Topline
The U.K. government on Friday sanctioned 386 Russian politicians who voted to recognize the independence of two separatist regions in Ukraine, following earlier sanctions on Russian oligarchs, airlines and companies.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss announced new sanctions on Russian politicians.
Key Facts
The move bans travel to the U.K. and freezes assets for members of the Duma, the lower house of Russia’s parliament, who voted to recognize Luhansk and Donetsk as independent.
The British foreign office said the vote served as a “pretext” for Russia’s subsequent invasion of Ukraine.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the sanctions are about “targeting those complicit in Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and those who support this barbaric war.”
Truss said the U.K. “will not let up the pressure and will continue to tighten the screw on the Russian economy.”
Combined with earlier rounds of sanctions, 400 of the Duma’s 450 members are subject to U.K. sanctions, the Foreign Office said.
Key Background
The latest volley comes a day after the U.K. government hit seven “key oligarchs from Putin’s inner circle” with sanctions, including Roman Abramovich, the billionaire owner of Chelsea Football Club. The U.K. has also barred Russian aircraft from its airspace and airports and introduced powers to detain Russian-owned aircraft. Since the start of the invasion, the Foreign Office said it has sanctioned more than 500 of “Russia’s most significant and high-value individuals” and entities, which joined some 300 already sanctioned. This includes travel bans and asset freezes for 18 of Russia’s “leading oligarchs,” who the Foreign Office says have a combined worth of nearly $40 billion.
Crucial Quote
“Together with our allies, we stand firmly beside our Ukrainian friends,” Truss said. “We will continue to support Ukraine with humanitarian aid, defensive weapons and diplomatic work to isolate Russia internationally.”
Further Reading
U.K. Sanctions Roman Abramovich And Six Other Russian Oligarchs, Freezes Assets Including Chelsea F.C. (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2022/03/11/uk-sanctions-386-russian-politicians-for-backing-ukraine-invasion/