Great Britain imposes sanctions on Russian banks and three Russians

The Prime Minister of Great Britain, Boris Johnson, today presented his country's sanctions against Russia after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent republics in eastern Ukraine controlled by separatists. In an address to the British parliament, Johnson expressed full support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

Britain has imposed sanctions on five banks and three individuals, Boris Johnson announced.

He added that this is only the first package of sanctions and that they will be expanded if the situation escalates, and that they will be even tougher and that they will not hesitate to use them. 

The banks in question are: Rossiya, IS Bank, General Bank, Promsvyazbank, and Black Sea Bank. The Prime Minister also sanctioned three individuals: Gennady Timchenko, Boris Rotenberg, and Igor Rotenberg. 

"All assets they hold in Great Britain will be frozen, the individuals concerned will be banned from traveling here, and we will ban all British individuals and legal entities from doing any business with them," Johnson said. 

Johnson said they would be ready for a diplomatic solution until the last moment, but that he believed Putin was ready to go further. 

The British Prime Minister added that Putin had violated the Minsk agreement and that they could expect a Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

Labour leader Keir Starmer said that Great Britain must also "get its house in order", saying it has failed to stop the influx of Russian finances into the country.

"This must be a turning point," he said, adding that the "impunity of oligarchs" must end and anti-money laundering laws must be enforced.

He added that diplomatic efforts must continue to avoid conflict.

"Great Britain must be prepared for greater military support for Ukraine to defend itself, and the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline should be cancelled," Starmer said.