(London) British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned Thursday that the West would impose “massive” sanctions targeting the Russian economy in response to the invasion of Ukraine, calling Vladimir Putin a “dictator”.
Posted at 7:57 a.m.
“Diplomatically, politically, economically and, ultimately, militarily, this atrocious and barbaric undertaking by Vladimir Putin must end in failure,” the head of government said in a televised address to Britons. “We cannot, and we will not, look away.”
“Today, together with our allies, we will agree on a set of massive economic sanctions designed to ultimately hamper the Russian economy,” assured Boris Johnson.
“For that, we also need to collectively end the reliance on Russian oil and gas that for too long has allowed Putin to exert his grip on Western politics,” he added. .
After chairing a crisis meeting in Downing Street in the morning, the Prime Minister is due to meet during the day with the other leaders of the great powers of the G7. He is due to speak in the UK Parliament around 12pm EST.
He felt that “the flame of freedom” would shine again in Ukraine. “Despite all his bombs, tanks and missiles, I do not believe that the Russian dictator will ever succeed in undermining the national feeling of Ukrainians and their passionate belief that their country should be free,” he said.
Boris Johnson promised to work with the allies “as long as necessary to ensure that Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence are restored”, denouncing “an attack on democracy and freedom in Eastern Europe and the whole world “.
The United Kingdom on Tuesday sanctioned five banks and three Russian oligarchs after Moscow recognized the independence of pro-Russian separatist regions in eastern Ukraine.
These measures have been criticized by some elected officials as too weak given the scale of the current crisis.
While it has taken a tough stance on Moscow in this crisis, the British government has at the same time been accused of turning a blind eye for years to the origin of Russian money flowing into London.