Moscow calls UK sanctions plans an ‘open attack’ on Russian companies

The Kremlin accused the British authorities on Monday, January 31, of preparing a “attack” against Russian companies with their plans for sanctions in response to the crisis in Ukraine. The British Foreign Secretary, who is due to travel to Kyiv and then Moscow, announced on Sunday that London could toughen its sanctions against Russia “so that any company of interest to the Kremlin and the Russian regime can be targeted.”

A judged statement “very worrying” by the Kremlin spokesman, who accused the British authorities of“increase tensions on the European continent”. “In this case, it is an open attack on business” Russian, he said.

The United Kingdom has recently multiplied announcements intended to dissuade Moscow, which has massed troops on the border with Ukraine, from invading the neighboring state. Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to propose to NATO to double the British contingent of 1,150 soldiers currently deployed in Eastern Europe. He must also speak to President Vladimir Putin to urge him to “to move back”. For its part, Russia denies any plan of invasion, saying on the contrary that it is threatened by the presence of NATO in its vicinity.