Boris Johnson news latest news: UK to inject $100m into Ukraine’s economy as PM warns of ‘darker days ahead’

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Dominic Raab dismisses fears that Putin will use nuclear weapons as ‘rhetoric’

The UK will allocate an additional $100m directly to the Ukrainian government budget, Downing Street said in a press statement on Monday.

The grant will be provided through the World Bank and is directed at mitigating financial pressures created by Russia’s “unprovoked and illegal invasion.”

“This grant could be used to support public sector salaries, allowing critical state functions to keep operating, as well as to support social safety nets and pensions for the Ukrainian people,” the statement said.

In a statement prime minister Boris Johnson said: “While only Putin can fully end the suffering in Ukraine, today’s new funding will continue to help those facing the deteriorating humanitarian situation.”

Also on Sunday, the PM put forward a six-point plan for the international community to support Ukraine.

“We cannot allow the Kremlin to bite off chunks of an independent country and inflict immense human suffering and then creep back into the fold,” Mr Johnson wrote in the New York Times.

Key PointsUK to inject $100m into Ukraine’s economyUK intel says Russia has made ‘minimal advances’ in UKBoris Johnson puts forward six-point plan to support UkrainePutin’s act of aggression must fail, says Boris JohnsonDominic Raab rules out imposing a no-fly zone over UkraineShow latest update 1646644549Cleverly defends media mogul Lord Lebedev’s place in House of Lords

Foreign Office minister James Cleverly defended media mogul Lord Lebedev’s place in the House of Lords.

“He is here as a British dual national, he is a businessman, he has been an effective businessman,” Mr Cleverly told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

(AP)

“I think we need to be a little bit careful, suggesting or implying that everyone of Russian origin is somehow inappropriate to step into public life.”

Lord Lebedev has spoken only once and never voted in Parliament, but Mr Cleverly said: “There are lots of members of the House of Lords who are not active members of the House of Lords. It rather flies in the face of this accusation that somehow he is distorting British politics if he is not voting on British laws.”

Emily Atkinson7 March 2022 09:15

1646643341Third Russian ceasefire offer is ‘cynical beyond belief’, says foreign office

Europe Minister James Cleverly has slammed Russia’s third offer of a ceasefire and safe passage to fleeing civilians as “cynical beyond belief”.

This comes shortly after two ceasefire agreements between Russia and Ukraine failed over the weekend due to escalating violence and shelling.

But evacuation routes published by Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency showed that civilians will only be able to flee to Russia and Belarus.

(AFP via Getty Images)

He told BBC Breakfast: “It appears cynical beyond belief. There is a view that Vladimir Putin believed there was a widespread desire of Ukrainians to be closer to Russia, to be more Russian. I think that has been proven to be a complete nonsense by the circumstances we are seeing.

“Providing evacuation routes into the arms of the country that is currently destroying yours is a nonsense.”

He added that “ultimately the most humanitarian thing the Russians could do is end this completely illegal, completely unjustified invasion of Ukraine”.

Emily Atkinson7 March 2022 08:55

1646642803James Cleverly grilled over Ukraine visas in interview after ‘around 50’ issued

James Cleverly, a Foreign Office minister, acknowledged that “only small numbers” fleeing Russia’s brutal invasion had come to Britain but so far – but insisted the process “has only just started”.

Emily Atkinson7 March 2022 08:46

1646642389Gordon Brown warns Putin to face penalties when Ukraine war ends

Former prime minister Gordon Brown has lent his voice to calls for the Kremlin to face a Nuremberg-style trial.

“You’d set up a prosecutor probably in The Hague, they would compile the case,” he told GMB.

“They would then demand the arrest of Putin and his colleagues. That would eventually lead to a trial if we can get hold of them.”

(AP)

He added: “We’ve got to send out a message to give morale to the Ukrainian people that we’re taking action, but also, (the Russian leadership) will be aware that they face penalties at the end of this war.”

Emily Atkinson7 March 2022 08:39

1646641922Tudgendhat admits Ukraine refugee visa scheme ‘certainly not a success’

The number of visas issued to Ukrainian refugees under the UK government’s scheme “is certainly not a success”, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee has said.

Tom Tugendhat MP was asked by LBC’s Nick Ferrari asked Conservativeif the Home Office had failed by granting just 50 Ukrainian refugees visas so far.

Refugees wait for buses transporting them to other locations after crossing the Ukrainian borders into Poland

(AFP via Getty Images)

“Well, it’s certainly not a success is it?” Mr Tugendhat said.

“What we need to do is to make sure that we get the Home Office absolutely delivering, to make sure that we get the support for those who are most in need.

Refugees from Ukraine sit inside a ballroom converted into a makeshift refugee shelter in Suceava, Romania

(PA)

“The British people are extremely generous, you and I both know that.

“This isn’t some sort of, you know, illegal scam. This is, perfectly obviously, people fleeing for their lives and we need to be absolutely there to support them.”

Emily Atkinson7 March 2022 08:32

1646641597Watch: Kay Burley clashes with James Cleverly over number of Ukrainian refugees taken by UK

Kay Burley clashes with James Cleverly over number of Ukrainian refugees taken by UK

Emily Atkinson7 March 2022 08:26

1646641048Labour shadow minister says he wants to know where ‘treasure’ of Russian oligarchs has been ‘buried’

The shadow business secretary has called on the government to reduce the time period before foreign-owned UK property needs to be registered.

Jonathan Reynolds told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme: “I want to know where the treasure has been buried. This is not just about oligarchs, it’s about the money launderers. It’s about tax evaders, I want to know where that money is.

“I think the reasonableness of this period is what will give us the chance to do that.”

The entrance to Beechwood House, owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, in London

(REUTERS)

He emphasized the UK could “no longer ignore” concerns around privacy, tax evasion, money laundering and hidden assets, as it does not just facilitate crime but poses a “threat to our national security.”

Emily Atkinson7 March 2022 08:17

1646640136Putin’s criticism of UK sanctions ‘badge of honour’, says Cleverly

A foreign office minister was the morning challenged over the UK’s approach to Russian sanctions after Labor said the legislation gave oligarchs a “get-out-of-London-free” card.

James Cleverly told Sky News the government was working on a cross-party basis to fast-track the Economic Crime Bill through the Commons.

He said: “The ultimate goal is to make sure that the sanctions that we’ve already put in place, which are incredibly effective, and have had a real impact on Russian oligarchs, and indeed the Russian economy, are made even stronger still, and we welcome cross-party support in that.”

In response to criticism over the numbers of individual oligarchs targeted by sanctions, Mr Cleverly said: “We’ve had a very wide-ranging number, over 200 individuals and entities over £250 billion worth of Russian economic activity curtailed, over three million Russian companies no longer able to raise finance on the London market.

“So, the fact that Vladimir Putin singled us out for criticism is a badge of honor.”

Emily Atkinson7 March 2022 08:02

1646639432No-fly zone would ‘not make difference many hope’, says Tugendhat

A no-fly zone would not make the difference that people hope because Vladimir Putin’s forces rely more on artillery, the foreign affairs committee chair has said.

Yesterday, Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his calls for a no-fly zone over Ukraine after eight Russian missiles hit the regional capital of Vinnytsia, completely destroying the civilian airport there, he said.

First responders work at the scene after a missile hit a building at Havryshivka Vinnytsia International Airport

(via REUTERS)

Tom Tugendhat told Nick Ferrari on LBC: “The reality is most of the damage being done, most of the killing, most of the attacks, are being done by artillery – which the Russians refer to as the god of war.

“Artillery isn’t affected by a no-fly zone. So, I’m not absolutely certain that a no-fly zone would make all the difference that many hope.

Emily Atkinson7 March 2022 07:50

1646638906Cleverly defends UK’s slow progress in accepting Ukrainian refugees

Foreign office minister James Cleverly has said the process of accepting Ukrainian refugees “has only just started” in defense of the government’s slow progress in granting visas to those fleeing the conflict.

It was revealed today that only “around 50” visas had been granted under the Ukraine Family Scheme as of 10am on Sunday.

Mr Cleverly told Sky News: “We have made it absolutely clear we want to support Ukrainians who are seeking refuge, both those who have family connections here in the UK and, indeed, those who don’t.

“Over the last 10 days or so we have seen huge numbers of people leaving Ukraine, fleeing from the conflict, we will support them in the places that they currently are – which is typically in countries bordering Ukraine.

“But we will, of course, also welcome Ukrainians here to the UK.”

Mr Cleverly acknowledged that “only small numbers have come so far” but “the process has only just started”.

(Getty Images)

Emily Atkinson7 March 2022 07:41

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