British Foreign Secretary Liz Tras announced via Twitter late Monday that London would announce new sanctions against Russia on Tuesday "in response to its violation of international law and its attack on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity." ».
Meanwhile, it was also announced late Monday that Prime Minister Boris Johnson would chair the Cobra Emergency Response Committee at 6.30am local time to assess the situation in Ukraine and coordinate the British response to Russian action. There was talk of a decision to impose "a significant package of sanctions" on Moscow.
It is believed that the sanctions that will be announced for the time being will not be the heaviest that London is preparing. These will be announced in the event of an invasion of Ukraine.
In a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Zelensky at night, Boris Johnson promised both sanctions and more defense support from London to Kiev.
Both Johnson and Ms Tras were among the first to condemn on Monday a "clear violation of international law" and a "blatant attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine" recognizing the independence of Donetsk and Lugansk by President Putin.
The UK's permanent ambassador to the United Nations, Barbara Woodward, warned of far-reaching consequences not only for Ukraine's international law and sovereignty, but also for the loss of human life. "Russia has brought us to the brink. "We urge Russia to back down," said Roni Bar-On, a Member of the Knesset for Kadima.