Ukraine latest: Volodymyr Zelensky addresses G7 leaders, PM says cost of Ukraine support is price worth paying
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Boris Johnson said the “price of freedom is worth paying” and the UK would support Ukraine’s fight against Russia for as long as it takes despite the cost.
The Prime Minister’s comments came as Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the leaders of the UK, US, Canada, Japan, France, Germany and Italy by video-link from Kyiv.
His address was made in private.
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What Boris Johnson said
Mr Johnson argued that Western allies must continue to back Ukraine because standing up against Vladimir Putin’s aggression would ultimately make the world a safer and more prosperous place.
He said that if Vladimir Putin is not resisted, it could give the green light to countries such as China to pursue their own goals of territorial expansion.
The Prime Minister told the BBC at the summit in the Bavarian Alps: “I think that the economic impacts on the UK will start to abate, we’ll find ways around things and some of the cost pressures will start to come down.
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Hide Ad“But just in terms of staying the course, imagine if you didn’t. Imagine if we allowed Putin to get away with the violent acquisition of huge chunks of another country, a sovereign, independent territory – the lessons for that would be absolutely chilling in all of the countries of the former Soviet Union, you can see what’s happening in the Baltic countries already.
“But the read across would also be felt in east Asia, as well.
“So, in terms of the economic effects of that, that would mean long-term instability, it would mean anxiety across the world.”
What’s been agreed at the summit
– The UK pledged £10 million to repair damaged Ukrainian rail infrastructure to create an overland route to get grain out of the country.
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Hide Ad– The Government will also put £1.5 million to develop a testing process to identify whether grain sold by Russia on the world market has been illegally taken from Ukraine.
– The leaders are considering putting a price cap on Russian oil to further cripple the economy bankrolling the war effort.
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Here are the latest updates on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Latest updates on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Image shows no civilian aircraft in Ukrainian airspace
Liz Truss summons Russian ambassador to explain ‘illegal invasion of Ukraine'
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has summoned the Russian ambassador to explain Russia’s “illegal, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine” and said the UK would be “imposing severe sanctions”.
Ukraine President asks for blood donations to help wounded soldiers
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for people with military experience to “join the defence of Ukraine” and asked for blood donations to help wounded soldiers.
“Everyone who has military experience who can join the defence of Ukraine has to come to the military offices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
“Please keep yourself updated on the information. We have wounded soldiers in hospitals that require blood donations, please join and donate your blood.
“We carry out serious work on the defence and every enterprise, every business person needs to help. Please look after your workers, your employees.
“All people should have all the necessary facilities and goods. The bank system of Ukraine has got the resources to protect this state, to protect the interests of Ukrainian nationals.
“I’m grateful to all the politicians who support Ukraine and defend our sovereignty.”
Ukraine President: ‘We will give weapons to anyone who wants to defend the country'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said: “We will give weapons to anyone who wants to defend the country. Be ready to support Ukraine in the squares of our cities.
“We will lift sanctions on all citizens of Ukraine who are ready to defend our country as part of territorial defence with weapons in hands.
“We have severed diplomatic relations with Russia. For all those who have not yet lost their conscience in Russia, it is time to go out and protest against the war with Ukraine.”
PM to address nation on the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Boris Johnson will make an address to the nation this morning on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and will address MPs this afternoon.
PM to make statement on Russia invasion at 5pm
Boris Johnson will make a statement on the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the House of Commons at 5pm today.
Petrol and diesel prices reach new record high
Petrol and diesel prices have reached new record highs.
Figures from data firm Experian Catalist show the average cost of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts on Wednesday was 149.43p, while diesel cost 152.83p.
Prices are expected to rise further due to the Ukraine crisis.
Sturgeon: Putin must face ‘severest consequences’
Russian President Vladimir Putin must face the “severest consequences” for his “unprovoked aggression” against Ukraine, Nicola Sturgeon has insisted.
Nicola Sturgeon“The Kremlin must face the severest consequences for this unprovoked aggression.
“And the world must stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”
Images show Russian military vehicles crossing the Ukraine border
Images taken from CCTV at the Ukrainian border with Crimea - a region that Russia invaded and annexed from Ukraine in 2014 - shows the moment Russian military vehicles entered the country.
Wizz Air suspends all flights to Ukraine
In response to the Ukraine crisis, airline Wizz Air, which operates flights between Luton and the eastern European country, said:
“Due to the current events in Ukraine and the airspace closure, Wizz Air regrets to inform our customers that the airline must temporarily suspend all flight operations in the country.
“Passengers booked on arriving or departing Ukrainian flights can find more information on wizzair.com, or alternatively via the airline’s call centre: 00380 893 202 532.
“The safety and security of our passengers and crew remains our number one priority and we hope normality will return to Ukraine soon.”
EU leaders to look at ‘a package of massive and targeted sanctions’ against Russia
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission“Later today, we will present a package of massive and targeted sanctions to European leaders for approval.
“With this package, we will target strategic sectors of the Russian economy by blocking their access to technologies and markets that are key for Russia.
“We will weaken Russia’s economic base and its capacity to modernise. In addition, we will freeze Russian assets in the European Union and stop the access of Russian banks to European financial markets.”
Latest pictures from Ukraine as Russia begins invasion
EU: Ukraine invasion marks ‘the darkest hours for Europe since WW2’
EU foreign affairs policy chief Josep Borrell said the events in Ukraine mark “among the darkest (hours) for Europe since the end of World War Two”.
Josep Borrell“These are among the darkest (hours) for Europe since the end of World War Two. A major nuclear power has (attacked) a neighbour country and is threatening reprisals of any other state that may come to its rescue.
“This is not only the greatest violation of international law, it’s a violation of the basic principles of human co-existence.
“It’s costing many lives with unknown consequences ahead of us.”
UK nationals urged to leave Ukraine immediately
Britain’s ambassador to Ukraine urged UK nationals to leave Ukraine immediately.
Oil prices soar and rouble plummets
Oil prices soared to levels not seen in eight years, trading was suspended on the Moscow Stock Exchange, and the rouble plummeted to a record low against the dollar after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The price of Brent crude oil had jumped by 5.6% by a little after 7am UK time to 102.30 dollars per barrel, hitting its highest point since 2014.
Around the same time the rouble tanked. The US dollar gained more than 10% against the Russian currency at one point.
UK flights ordered to avoid Ukraine airspace
Aircraft flying to or from UK airports are being ordered to avoid Ukraine airspace after the crisis in the country intensified.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tweeted:
Boris Johnson: ‘The UK and our allies will respond decisively'
A Downing Street spokesperson said the Prime Minister will chair a Cobra committee meeting at 7.30am to discuss the response to the “horrific attacks”.
In a statement on Twitter, Mr Johnson said he had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss “next steps”.
“I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskyy to discuss next steps,” he said.
“President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
“The UK and our allies will respond decisively.”
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