Russia will weaponise a refugee crisis if we’re not prepared to open our arms February 25, 2022 Putin has invaded Ukraine. He was never going to be satisfied with only taking Donetsk and Luhansk. The result will be a bloody and likely protracted war accompanied by another refugee crisis as many Ukrainians make the heart-wrenching decision to desert their home. Britain has a long and proud history of welcoming refugees, especially from [...]
The parallel war of disinformation between Russia and Ukraine could seed more poison February 25, 2022 As Russian forces attacked Ukraine on three fronts, a parallel disinformation war was taking place on social media and on Russian news outlets. Since the early stage of this conflict, President Putin has sought to justify his invasion by depicting Ukraine as a belligerent actor threatening Russian lives. In his speech on Monday night, right [...]
‘Perfect storm’ of headwinds crimps UK optimism February 25, 2022 A “perfect storm” of headwinds gripping households with the tightest financial squeeze in a generation is eroding Brits’ optimism, reveals a closely watched survey published today. Concern about the impact soaring inflation will have on household finances drove UK consumer confidence to its lowest level in over a year, plummeting to minus 26 points this [...]
Behind the story: the cost of living crisis and war in Ukraine February 25, 2022 Britain is more sheltered than other countries from the massive spike in energy prices that could unfold as a result of Europe’s overreliance on Russian gas. Customers in the UK will at least in the short term be protected from higher prices by the energy price cap. But if the cost of energy continues to spiral [...]
No 10 lights up with Ukrainian colours as PM says the UK “will not look away” February 24, 2022 No 10 was tonight lit up with the colours of Ukraine’s flag, blue and yellow, to show solidarity with Kiev following Russia’s invasion. “Ukraine is a country that for decades has enjoyed freedom and democracy and the right to choose its own destiny,” said Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a tweet. “We – and the [...]
Biden confirms new sanctions on Russia but excludes US military intervention in Ukraine February 24, 2022 US President Joe Biden has confirmed a new set of sanctions, including limiting exports, will be imposed on Russia following the Kremlin’s attack to Ukraine. “This is going to impose severe cost on the Russian economy, both immediately and over time,” he said during a White House press conference. “We have purposefully designed these sanctions [...]
BP under pressure to exit Rosneft stake February 24, 2022 BP is facing intensifying pressure to exit its near 20 per cent stake in Kremlin-backed energy group Rosneft.
Full-blown Russian incursion of Ukraine triggers global market rout February 24, 2022 Global investors fled stocks today after they woke up to the news that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered a full invasion of Ukraine. Risk appetite poured out of traders’ mindsets as they flowed into safe assets to limit the potential spillover economic effects of Moscow troops closing in on Kiev. The capital’s premier FTSE [...]
CAA bans Russian carrier Aeroflot from flying to UK following Ukraine invasion February 24, 2022 The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has banned Russian carrier Aeroflot from flying into the UK airspace following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. “Following the announcement by the Prime Minister in Parliament today, the UK Civil Aviation Authority has suspended the foreign carrier permit held by Aeroflot until further notice,” said a CAA spokesperson. “This means [...]
Ukraine: UK to freeze assets of major Russian banks in new sanctions February 24, 2022 All major Russian banks will be shut out from operating in the UK and large Russian firms will be blocked from raising capital in the City in a package of economic sanctions announced by Boris Johnson today, which has been described as the largest ever by a British government. This will include VTB Bank, the [...]