Boris Johnson has said that Russian president Vladimir Putin will “double down” on his invasion of Ukraine and “continue with the destruction”.
The prime minister said Western nations needed to respond to Mr Putin’s aggression with an “intensified package” and thanked European neighbours for “delivering support for the Ukrainians and support for the Ukrainian right to self-defence.”
It comes as Russia announced a ceasefire in two cities in Ukraine to allow residents to evacuate.
In an interview with foreign newspapers, Mr Johnson added: “Putin also underestimated Western unity, and the governments of all the countries represented around this table have really worked together, very effectively, to produce a package of economic sanctions that has had a very considerable effect on Russia.”
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky made clear in a late-night address on Friday that he felt the West needed to do more to defend Ukraine, criticising Nato for its refusal to impose a no-fly zone.
Meanwhile, British nationals in Russia whose presence is “not essential” have been told to consider leaving the country, updated travel advice on the Foreign Office website said today.
Cost of living crisis: Snapshot of how biggest squeeze in 60 years is set to batter millions of Britons
Millions of households across the UK are bracing themselves to feel the pain when the cost-of-living crisis deepens next month.
Energy bills will skyrocket from 1 April when the current price cap is lifted, while National Insurance Contributions are set to rise four days later. Petrol prices and food costs are all already climbing steeply.
Taken together, it all means the country is set to experience the worst financial squeeze in 60 years, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Some 2.5 million families will be plunged into fuel poverty by the spring, the Resolution Foundation think tank predicts. Food banks are already recording unprecedented numbers of visitors.
Colin Drury reports.
British nationals told to leave Russia unless it is ‘essential’ to stay
British nationals who are still in Russia have been told they should leave if it is not essential they stay in the country.
The Foreign Office updated its advice on Saturday to say Britons should use the remaining commercial routes to flee the nation.
A post on the Foreign Office website said: “If your presence in Russia is not essential, we strongly advise that you consider leaving by remaining commercial routes.”
Cost of living crisis: Snapshot of how biggest squeeze in 60 years is set to batter millions of Britons
Millions of households across the UK are bracing themselves to feel the pain when the cost-of-living crisis deepens next month.
Energy bills will skyrocket from 1 April when the current price cap is lifted, while National Insurance Contributions are set to rise four days later. Petrol prices and food costs are all already climbing steeply.
Taken together, it all means the country is set to experience the worst financial squeeze in 60 years, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Some 2.5 million families will be plunged into fuel poverty by the spring, the Resolution Foundation think tank predicts. Food banks are already recording unprecedented numbers of visitors.
Colin Drury has the details.
PM praises journalists in ‘terrifying and dangerous situations’
Boris Johnson has praised British journalists in “terrifying and dangerous situations” after a correspondent was shot and wounded in an ambush near the Ukrainian capital.
Stuart Ramsay, chief correspondent at Sky News, was hit by a bullet in the lower back as shooting rained down on a car carrying his crew towards Kyiv on Monday.
Camera operator Richie Mockler was also hit with two rounds to his body armour before the team managed to escape and take cover. They were later rescued by Ukrainian police.
It is understood that the whole crew, including Sky News’ Dominique van Heerden and Martin Vowles, and local producer Andrii Lytvynenko, are now safe.
Shocking footage of the incident was played on Sky News on Friday evening.
The prime minister said on Twitter: “The courage of these journalists, putting themselves in terrifying and dangerous situations, is astonishing to watch.
“They’re risking their lives to ensure that the truth is told.
“Free press will not be intimidated or cowed by barbaric and indiscriminate acts of violence.”
Ex-Brexit Party MEP under fire for saying Northern Ireland Protocol as bad as invasion of Ukraine
A former Brexit Party MEP has claimed the EU’s treatment of Northern Ireland is on a par with Vladimir Putin’s bloody invasion of Ukraine, sparking criticism.
“The only difference is we bowed to the EU without a single shot being fired,” Ben Habib said – stepping up Unionist attacks on the trade rules in the Northern Ireland Protocol.
The comments come as Boris Johnson admits he is backing away from triggering Article 16 of the agreement, because it would be wrong to be “talking about this subject” while the conflict rages.
Boris Johnson suggests fear of ‘brick wall of lawyers’ has stalled sanctions on Roman Abramovich
Boris Johnson has pointed to a fear of running into a “brick wall of lawyers” when asked why the UK has not imposed sanctions on Roman Abramovich.
Labour has demanded action against the Chelsea football club owner after a leaked Home Office document flagged his “links to the Russian state and his public association with corrupt activities and practices”.
The prime minister had insisted he could not discuss individual cases, but opened up about Mr Abramovich in an interview with various European newspapers.
Our deputy political editor Rob Merrick has the details.
British nationals told to leave Russia
British nationals in Russia whose presence is “not essential” have been told to consider leaving the country.
Travel advice on the Foreign Office website on Saturday said it had been “updated to advise British nationals whose presence in Russia is not essential to consider leaving by remaining commercial routes”.
The department said it may not be possible to fly directly to the UK, or via EU countries, but that travelling via the Middle East or Turkey may be possible.
Previously, the advice had been that those outside Russia should not travel to the country.
The Foreign Office pointed towards “the increased volatility in the Russian economy” as one of the reasons Britons should not go to the country.
A post on the Foreign Office website said: “If your presence in Russia is not essential, we strongly advise that you consider leaving by remaining commercial routes.”
British army vehicles seen in Estonia as UK bolsters Nato ally forces
Ukraine ceasefire ‘welcome’ but only a ‘small step’, says Tory MP
The reported temporary ceasefire in Ukraine is welcome but it is only a “small step”, economic secretary to the Treasury John Glen has said.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Glen said: “The events that are going on in Ukraine are appalling and this is obviously an illegal war that Putin is prosecuting.
“But this is welcome, anything that can assist the people of Ukraine the Government will support.
“But (the) big picture is that Putin’s aggression shows little signs of abating and the humanitarian crises that are unfolding are appalling and they are entirely his responsibility.
“The number of cities that are apparently under threat remain high and the level of the aggression and the nature of the shelling is becoming more and more desperate and indiscriminate as each day goes by.”
Get the latest on the Ukraine situation by following our live blog below:
Putin’s ‘character’ demonstrated by Novichok attack, says Tory MP
The Novichok attack on Salisbury four years ago showed the character of Vladimir Putin, the city’s MP has said.
John Glen, who is also the economic secretary to the Treasury, said the invasion of Ukraine was of an “utterly different scale and the humanitarian crisis, the loss of civilian life, is of a completely different scale”.
He added: “But in terms of the character of the man, clearly that was demonstrated in what he did to my constituents, the destruction he brought to our way of life here in Salisbury.
“But where we are now in the Ukraine is just another manifestation of somebody who is beyond democratic accountability and is prosecuting an illegal war that is going to greatly damage both his people, the economy of Russia, but also the people of the Ukraine’s way of life.”
