Britain says ready to work on new sanctions against Russian Federation

The UK government will work with the European Union (EU) countries to introduce new energy sanctions against Russia. This was stated by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Kiera Starmer on February 2.

"I'm here to work with our European partners to maintain [sanctions] pressure [on the Russian economy], targeting energy revenues and companies supplying [Russian] missile factories to crush [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's war machine. Because ultimately it is this, together with our military assistance[to Ukraine], that will bring peace closer," Starmer said in a statement circulated ahead of his participation in the informal summit of EU heads of state and government in Brussels, which is scheduled for February 3.

It is noted that Starmer will meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte before heading to an informal meeting with the leaders of the 27 EU member states at the European Council meeting.
There, the Prime Minister will outline his vision for an ambitious UK-EU defense and security partnership that includes a series of steps to increase cooperation in tackling common threats, as well as further tackling cross-border crime and illegal migration, while ensuring growth and security at home.

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Earlier, on January 10, the UK imposed sanctions on Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz. On the same day, the US authorities also extended sanctions against a number of Russian corporations and their executives. The list includes Gazprom Neft and its head Alexander Dyukov, Surgutneftegaz, as well as the head of Zarubezhneft, Sergei Kudryashov. In addition, restrictions were imposed on the CEO of Rosatom Alexei Likhachev.

The Russian Embassy in London said the next day that the new UK sanctions against Russian companies Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz would be a blow of the country's authorities to the welfare of British citizens.

Back in November 2024, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said that Western sanctions will not lead to restrictions on Russia's foreign trade. According to him, all restrictions by Western countries first of all hit them.

Western countries increased sanctions pressure on Russia after the start of the special operation to protect civilians in Donbass, which was announced on February 24, 2022.