The Russian foreign ministry promised that London faces ‘retaliatory measures’ after the government, with other countries in the West, levelled sanctions at the aggressor
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Russia has threatened it “will not forget” Britain’s support for Ukraine, as the world tipped closer to world war.
The state’s media says the country is furious at sanctions imposed by Boris Johnson ’s government.
In a statement the Russian foreign ministry made a thinly-veiled threat at the UK and its allies.
Spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned: “Russia will not forget Britain’s desire to co-operate with ultra-nationalist forces in Ukraine and the supply of British weapons to the Kyiv regime.
“The sanctions hysteria in which London plays one of the leading, if not the main, roles, leaves us no choice but to take proportionately tough retaliatory measures. London has made a final choice of open confrontation with Russia.
“Such a development convinces us once more that Russophobia and the aim to undermine the Russian state are integral elements of Britain’s foreign policy.”
Zakharova previously accused the BBC of playing “a determined role in undermining the Russian stability and security”, after it announced it was suspending the work of its journalists in Russia as authorities passed legislation cracking down on foreign outlets.
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Image:
Russian Foreign Ministry/TASS)
The response comes after the Prime Minister unveiled the “largest and most severe package” of sanctions “that Russia has ever seen” after Moscow launched the brutal invasion of Ukraine by land, sea and air.
Despite Russia’s fury at the UK, the PM has been criticised by some for the response as so far just 15 individual Russians, including Putin and his Foreign Minister, have been targeted.
By contrast, the EU has imposed sanctions and travel bans on 702 people, including all the members of the Russian parliament, and more than 50 organisations with links to Putin.
Mr Johnson previously said: “For as long as Putin continues his barbaric attack on innocent Ukrainians we will continue to exert every power we have to inflict maximum economic pain on Putin and his war machine.”
Today’s threat is not the first time Russia made a statement against Britain since the start of the invasion.
Last week Vladimir Putin attempted to blame Foreign Secretary Liz Truss for his own threat about using nuclear weapons.
According to the Interfax news agency, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a press briefing: “I would not call the authors of these statements by name, although it was the British foreign minister.”
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Image:
PA)
He is said to have complained: “Statements were made by various representatives at various levels on possible altercations or even collisions and clashes between Nato and Russia.
“We believe that such statements are absolutely unacceptable.”
Britain in response accused Vladimir Putin of using a “distraction technique” as the Kremlin put Russia ’s nuclear deterrent on a “special regime of combat duty”.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’s official spokesman hit back, saying: “It remains the case that the rhetoric we’re seeing from Putin’s regime is designed to distract from the situation on the ground.
“That is very much our focus.”
Yesterday the PM said the war “could now directly threaten the safety of all of Europe” after forces attacked a nuclear plant in Ukraine.
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https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/breaking-russia-threatens-britain-directly-26395362