More sanctions against Russia 'in the locker', warns Johnson-led UK govt

The UK government warned that it stands ready to escalate sanctions on Russia in the event of an invasion of Ukraine and can "keep turning up the heat"

The UK government on Wednesday warned that it stands ready to escalate sanctions on Russia in the event of an invasion of Ukraine and can "keep turning up the heat" by targeting more banks, wealthy individuals and key companies if President Vladimir Putin refuses to pull back troops from eastern Ukraine.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the sanctions announced in Parliament by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday against five Russian banks and three Russian billionaires linked with President Putin were severe but that further measures are being kept in the locker.

Britain has joined international allies to take action after Putin ordered troops to be sent into two Ukrainian regions held by Russian-backed separatists.

"The sanctions we're putting in place are coordinated with the United States, they're coordinated with Europe, to make sure that Vladimir Putin cannot play divide and rule amongst the allies, said Truss.

We've shown we are united and we will escalate those sanctions in the event of a full invasion into Ukraine," she said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced the decision to halt approval of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea, a mega EURO 10 billion project which had been expected to allow Russia to sell more natural gas directly to Europe.

Besides, other European Union (EU) countries and the US have also imposed a range of sanctions, including restricting the Russian state from financing its debt from their banks and banning their own companies from trading with the two rebel-held regions.

It comes as the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) reiterated the UK's commitment to guarantee up to USD 500 million in loans to support Ukraine and mitigate the economic effects of Russian aggression.

The FCDO said it was ready to offer guarantees of Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) lending for projects that will support economic stability and vital reforms such as tackling anti-corruption.

MDBs are international financial institutions that provide financial assistance to developing countries and are owned by shareholding governments, such as the World Bank.

We are putting our money where our mouth is and using Britain's economic expertise and strength to support the people of Ukraine. These guarantees can help inject vital capital into Ukraine and help its economy weather the storm of Russian aggression, said Truss.

Britain stands four-square behind Ukraine and its people. We stand ready to offer direct economic support, providing defensive weapons, and exposing Russian attempts to engineer fake pretexts for invasion, she said.

In December 2021, the UK increased the amount of financial support available to Ukraine from UK Export Finance (UKEF) to 3.5-billion-pound and signed a new treaty that will help Ukraine access the world-class UK supply chain to enhance its naval capabilities.

The FCDO said the economic support comes on top of increased support for military equipment from the UK Ministry of Defence and enhanced support to the humanitarian system in Ukraine.

Writing in 'The Times', Liz Truss said the government had a "long list of those complicit in the actions of the Russian leadership", adding that if Putin refuses to pull back troops, the UK can "keep turning up the heat" by targeting more banks, wealthy individuals and significant companies.

They would include sanctioning Russian parliamentarians which would require new legislation and preventing British firms from doing business in the two rebel-held areas in Donetsk and Luhansk, recognised by Russia as independent.

The minister has also said the UK would restrict the Russian state and key companies from raising funding in UK financial markets, as well as ban a range of high-tech exports to Russia, "degrading the development of its military-industrial base for years".