Keir Starmer says UK should ‘break open’ shell companies that are ‘supporting Putin’
Vladimir Putin’s intentions to expand the scope of his influence will go “way beyond Ukraine”, the chairman of the defence committee has said, as Russia continues to launch attacks on its capital.
Tory MP Tobias Ellwood, a former soldier, recalling serving in Bosnia, told ITV News: “Nato wasn’t part of Bosnia there, but there was a commitment to European security, and now we are playing catch-up.
“We’re actually reacting to events rather than getting ahead of them.”
He added: “Things won’t stop here. Let’s make this very, very clear. Putin’s ideological intention to expand his sphere of influence will go way beyond Ukraine.”
Meanwhile, the UK has pledged to continue to supply arms to Ukraine’s military.
“We know what the Ukrainians want. We are doing our best to get it to them,” UK armed forces minister James Heappey told Sky News.
It comes after defence secretary Ben Wallace chaired a donors conference on Friday with 25 nations, he said, some of whom pledged to send arms and other aid.
Key points
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Watch: Chaos at border as tens of thousands of desperate Ukrainians try to cross to safety in Poland
Chaos at Poland border as families with children flee Ukraine amid Russian invasion
Liam James26 February 2022 12:41
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UK does not believe Russia has taken Melitopol
Britain does not believe that Russian forces have captured Melitopol, a defence minister said.
Moscow said it had captured the southeastern Ukrainian city, about 22 miles from the Azoz Sea coast.
James Heappey, the UK armed forces minister, said: “All of Russia’s day one objectives … and even Melitopol, which the Russians are claiming to have taken but we can’t see anything to substantiate that, are all still in Ukrainian hands.”
Liam James26 February 2022 12:27
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Exclusive: Boris Johnson urged to expel Russia’s ambassador to UK over Ukraine invasion
Boris Johnson is bring urged by opposition parties at Westminster and a senior Tory MP to expel Russia’s ambassador to the UK over the Kremlin’s bloody invasion of Ukraine.
Labour’s shadow foreign secretary, David Lammy, told The Independent the government should now move to expel Moscow’s top diplomat in London, Andrei Kelin.
“The Russian ambassador is parroting the lies of Putin’s rogue regime, which is waging an illegal war against Ukraine,” he said. “The government should now expel Andrei Kelin from the UK.”
Our political correspondent Ashley Cowburn has more:
Emily Atkinson26 February 2022 12:01
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UK government update on Ukraine support
Emily Atkinson26 February 2022 11:47
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Ukrainians fleeing Russia conflict can apply for UK visas ‘under existing immigration routes’, says Home Office
Emily Atkinson26 February 2022 11:35
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External affairs secretary pledges Scotland’s ‘unqualified support for Ukrainian sovereignty’
Angus Robertson has written a letter to the Russian ambassador to the UK condemning the “unprovoked invasion of a peaceful, democratic neighbour in the strongest possible terms.”
“I reject wholeheartedly the premise of the invasion as stated by President Putin,” he told Andrei Kelin.
“I deplore the loss of life, including civilian lives, which is the direct responsibility of the Russian regime.”
Mr Robertson continued: “Our capital city Edinburgh is twinned with Kyiv, and our country is home to several thousand Ukrainians who are valued and welcome members of our communities.
“Scotland is also home to many Russians, whom we value equally. They are our friends, family, co-workers and neighbours.
“Our quarrel is not with the people of Russia, nor the Russian community who live and work in Scotland, but with President Putin’s regime and its deplorable actions.”
“Mr Ambassador, history will judge this week’s events as a permanent stain on this Russian government’s reputation.
“The international community stands united against such aggression, and Scotland stands with the international community.”
Emily Atkinson26 February 2022 11:22
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Latest from the Ministry of Defence
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) have shared an intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine.
Tweeting today, it said: “Russian forces have continued their advance on Kyiv with the bulk of their forces now 30km from the centre of the city.
“Russia has yet to gain control of the airspace over Ukraine, greatly reducing the effectiveness of the Russian Air Force.
“Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to put up staunch resistance across the country.
“Russian casualties are likely to be heavy and greater than anticipated or acknowledged by the Kremlin.”
Emily Atkinson26 February 2022 10:58
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Former defence committee chair praises ‘immensely courageous’ President Zelensky
Emily Atkinson26 February 2022 10:47
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Britain to send more arms to Ukrainian military as fighting reaches Kyiv
Britain has pledged to continue to supply arms to Ukraine’s embattled military as the fighting with Russian forces reached the outskirts of the capital, Kyiv.
Armed forces minister James Heappey said Russians troops had not made the progress they might have hoped, with the main armoured columns still some way from the city.
He warned that the defenders faced “days, weeks, months more” of heavy fighting as Russian President Vladimir Putin strives to topple the Ukrainian government and impose his writ on the country.
Emily Atkinson26 February 2022 10:37
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Breaking: France intercepts Russia-bound cargo ship ‘Baltic Leader’ in the English Channel
The French navy has intercepted a Russian cargo ship in the English Channel that was bound for Saint Petersburg, the BBC has reported.
French officials told the broadcaster that the ship was intercepted in line with new European Union sanctions imposed on Russian entities and individuals after Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine on Thursday.
The ship ‘Baltic Leader’ has been redirected to a port in Boulogne-Sur-Mer, the BBC added.
It was scheduled to reach St Petersburg on 3 March, according to a cargo vessel tracking website.
My colleague Lamiat Sabin reports:
Emily Atkinson26 February 2022 10:28
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-latest-news-uk-sanctions-partygate-b2023849.html
