LONDON (Parliament Politics Magazine) – As part of its response to the crisis in Ukraine, the UK government has slapped sanctions on hundreds of Russian legislators.
Asset freezes and UK travel bans have been imposed on 386 MPs who voted to recognise two rebel-held districts of eastern Ukraine as independent last month.
The United Kingdom said that its acceptance of Luhansk and Donetsk provided Russia with a “pretext” for its attack.
Labour applauded the decision, but said it should have been made “weeks ago.”
It comes after the European Union issued sanctions against hundreds of Russian legislators last month.
‘Tighten the screw’Â
Last month, the United Kingdom hinted at imposing sanctions of its own, but warned it would need more time to implement new legislation.
Following the recent revelation, 400 of the 450 members of the Russian parliament’s lower house, the Duma, are now subject to British sanctions. They are likewise barred from doing business in the United Kingdom.
All the Federation Council members, the Russian parliament’s upper house, have yet to be targeted by ministers. Downing Street also refused to clarify whether any of the sanctioned politicians owned property in the United Kingdom.
The UK is targeting “those complicit in Putin’s illegitimate invasion of Ukraine and those who support this barbarous war,” according to Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last month, the US imposed sanctions on Russian banks, firms, and billionaires.
The United Kingdom imposed sanctions on seven more Russian oligarchs on Thursday, Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea FC owner included.
Since the Russian invasion began, the UK government claims that 18 Russian oligarchs worth a total of £30 billion have been sanctioned.
In recent weeks, opposition parties have increased their pressure on ministers to boost the speed and scope of sanctions.
The latest sanctions against Duma members, according to Labour’s shadow foreign minister David Lammy, are welcome, but “should have happened weeks ago.”
Layla Moran, the Liberal Democrat’s foreign affairs spokesperson, praised the decision as well, but said the UK had been “going at a snail’s pace.”
Meanwhile, the government has been criticised for its response to the refugee crisis, with claims that the visa application procedure is cumbersome and bureaucratic.
According to the United Nations, more than 2.5 million people have fled Ukraine, yet Home Office Minister Baroness Williams of Trafford claimed on Friday that the UK has awarded 1,305 visas as of Thursday morning.
Ukrainians with family in the UK will be able to apply for visas online instead of visiting a visa centre in person, according to the government.
Second scheme’s details that would allow people and corporations to sponsor refugee visas are expected to be released on Monday, have originally been announced on March 1st.
