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UK announces tougher sanctions on Russia over Ukraine

Posted onFebruary 2, 2022

On 31^st January 2022 the UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss announced new legislation in Parliament to extend the UK’s sanctions regime in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Russia has an estimated 100,000 troops, tanks, artillery and missiles on its border with the Ukraine , but denies it plans to invade Ukraine, which also borders the European Union.

Currently, the 2019 Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations enables the UK to apply sanctions to listed Russian entities linked to the destabilisation of Ukraine.

This new legislation will allow far reaching sanctions on a range of individuals and businesses, and will be applied through the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (the Sanctions Act) which provides the legal framework for the imposition of UK sanctions and the implementation of UN sanctions.

These changes will not designate or impose sanctions on any individuals or businesses automatically, but will provide the UK Government with the additional powers needed in order to be able to do so in the event of any further Russian incursion into Ukraine

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said:

“Whether you support Russia’s aggressive actions against Ukraine, or you’re of wider significance to the Kremlin, we will have the power to sanction you.”

“Nothing is off the table and there will be nowhere to hide.”

“This will amount to the toughest sanctions regime against Russia we have had in place yet, and mark the biggest change in our approach since leaving the European Union.”

The UK is also sending weapons to Ukraine and providing training in the use of weapons to Ukraine's armed forces as well as offering extra support to nearby Nato forces.

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