Boris Johnson has pledged to support Ukraine “militarily” following Russia’s invasion.
In an address to the nation, Mr Johnson said the UK was introducing a “massive package of economic sanctions… to collectively cease dependence on Russian oil and gas.”
He said: “We will work with them [Ukraine] – for however long it takes – to ensure that the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine is restored.
“This act of wanton and reckless aggression is an attack not just on Ukraine, it is an attack on democracy and freedom in East Europe and around the world.
“This crisis is about the right of a free, sovereign independent European people to choose their own future, and that is a right that the UK will always defend.”
Mr Johnson added: “Diplomatically, politically, economically – and eventually, militarily – this hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure.”
Following his address, the prime minister will give a statement to Parliament at 5pm this afternoon.
Expel Russian citizens’, senior Tory says
Tory MP Tom Tugendhat, chair of the foreign affairs select committee, has attacked the “cowardice” of anyone who would seek to appease “evil dictators”, writes Adam Forrest.
The senior backbencher told Commons: “We need to call out the corruption in our own city, we need to evict those who have done so much to undermine the rights and liberties of the British people, we need to seize their assets, freeze their goods and expel them.”
Tugendhat added: “We can act now. We can freeze Russian assets in this country – all of them. We can expel Russian citizens – all of them.”
Russian ambassador ‘kicked out’ of meeting early by Liz Truss, government source claims
Invasion will push up food prices, says Tory minister
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will have an impact on global food prices, Commons Leader Mark Spencer has warned.
The Tory minister told MPs the conflict “is going to have an impact not only on global fuel prices, but also on global food prices as well”.
He said: “The Ukraine is an enormous supplier of food, of wheat and of bread. I think it’s something that the UK government will monitor and, of course, will assist through its work to try and lessen the burden of the cost of living.”
UK increasing its ‘air policing contribution’ to Nato – No 10
Downing Street has said the UK is increasing its “air policing contribution” to Nato.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “We are increasing our air policing contribution to Nato from RAF Akrotiri [in Cyprus] and the UK to help protect our Nato allies.”
“Two typhoons and a voyager for refuelling from the UK will support continuous Nato air policing over Poland’s border with Ukraine … two typhoons and a voyager for refuelling from Akrotiri (will) also support continuous Nato air policing over Romania’s border with Ukraine.
“So, this is a defensive capability designed to protect the airspace of our Nato allies … they will not operate in Ukrainian or Russian airspace.
“Just to emphasise, this isn’t additional air support, this is the air support already committed to Nato doing additional activities.”
Sturgeon condemns ‘Putin’s unprovoked, imperialist aggression’ in Ukraine
The Scottish First Minister said Ukraine’s “very existence as an independent democracy was now under attack”.
She condemned “in the strongest possible terms the unprovoked, imperialist aggression of Vladimir Putin”.
“There can be no doubt he must face the severest of consequences,” she said.
You can read the full story below.
UK providing ‘defensive military capability’ to Ukraine – No 10
Downing Street has said the UK is providing “defensive military capability” to Ukraine.
The prime minister said earlier in an address to the nation: “Our mission is clear. Diplomatically, politically, economically, and eventually militarily, this hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure.”
Asked was what meant by “militarily” in this context, the PM’s official spokesman said: “He’s making the point that … our expectation is that the Ukrainian people will fight, will engage with Russian forces … we are providing military, defensive military capability.”
Attack on Ukraine labelled ‘act of great evil’ by Church leaders
Russia’s attack on Ukraine has been described as “an act of great evil” by Church leaders in the UK.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell condemned “the horrific and unprovoked attack on Ukraine”.
They said they would “pray for an urgent ceasefire and a withdrawal of Russian forces.”
And they called for an international conference to secure “long-term agreements for stability and lasting peace.”
You can read the full story below.
‘Parliament must sit this weekend’ in light of situation in Ukraine, says Ed Davey
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey has said Parliament should sit at the weekend in order to pass “necessary measures and impose the most punitive of sanctions upon Putin’s regime”, writes Ashley Cownburn.
He said: “At this dark moment we must renew our commitments of international cooperation and stand with our allies against this horrendous invasion.
“For too long we in the West have been complacent about the threat which Putin poses to our allies and to the fundamental values which underpin our way of life. No more.
“We must stand with the people of Ukraine and provide them with humanitarian and military aid, while unleashing the severest of sanctions against Putin and his cronies.
“The era of Russian interference in this country must come to an end. Much of the legislation needed is ready to go – it must be brought before MPs immediately. Parliament must sit this weekend, day and night if we have to, to pass the necessary measures and impose the most punitive of sanctions upon Putin’s regime.”
Sunak says UK to impose ‘significant’ sanctions on Russia
The UK will introduce “significant” further sanctions against Russia, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said.
Speaking during his Mais Lecture at the Bayes Business School in London, he said: “The whole world is rightly appalled at Russia’s aggression.”
“When the freedom of one democratic nation is threatened, wherever they may be in the world, democracy everywhere is challenged.
“We must apply severe economic costs to these actions and you can expect significant further sanctions to be brought forward.”
“We are with Ukraine and its people at this difficult time,” he added.
