The UK foreign secretary has pledged to back Kiev at a “critical moment” and said London was ready to deploy peacekeepers
The UK is preparing to introduce its “largest ever” sanctions package against Russia ahead of the third anniversary of the Ukraine conflict, Foreign Secretary David Lammy has announced.
“This is also the time to turn the screws on Putin’s Russia,” Lammy said in a statement on Sunday. “Tomorrow, I plan to announce the largest package of sanctions against Russia since the early days of the war – eroding their military machine and reducing revenues fueling the fires of destruction in Ukraine.”
Lammy stated that the new restrictions would be unveiled at a “critical moment” for Ukraine. “We remain committed to providing £3 billion ($3.78 billion) of military support a year to put Ukraine in the strongest position possible,” he said. Lammy added that the UK is “ready and willing” to contribute troops as part of peacekeeping forces if necessary.
Since the escalation of the conflict in 2022, the UK has imposed multiple rounds of sanctions on Russia, targeting 1,900 individuals and organizations, as well as key industries and energy exports.
Alluding to US President Donald Trump’s decision to start direct talks with Russia, Lammy insisted that “there can be nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Washington this week, reportedly to attempt to persuade Trump not to end military aid to Kiev and to commit to a potential peacekeeping mission. According to the Wall Street Journal report, London and Paris have agreed to send 30,000 troops to Ukraine, but the plan will face “a difficult path” without Trump’s support.
Trump has reversed the Biden administration’s policy of “isolating” Russia on the world stage and angered Ukrainian and EU officials when he arranged talks with Moscow without their approval.
On Friday, Trump claimed that Macron and Starmer “haven’t done anything.” He previously labeled Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky “a dictator” and blamed him for starting the conflict with Russia. Trump also questioned whether Zelensky should have a seat at the table during future talks.
“I don’t think he’s very important to be in meetings,” Trump said on Friday, adding that Zelensky “has no cards” in the negotiations.
Russia has stated that Western sanctions will not stop it from achieving its aims, and has warned that it would treat any foreign troops in Ukraine without a UN peacekeeping mandate as legitimate military targets.
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