A law expanding anti-Russian sanctions was passed by the British authorities. A person convicted of “receiving benefits from the government of the Russian Federation or supporting it” can now fall under the restrictions. Before, a person could fall under the sanctions of the British kingdom against Russia, engaging in “destabilization of Ukraine” and undermining its territorial integrity. Sanctions may also be imposed against Russian companies "to provide an incentive to stop destabilization." The United Kingdom adopted a law on February 10 that significantly expanded the sanctions regime against Russia. This was reported in the official gazette of legal information of the kingdom.
Anyone involved in "benefiting from the Russian government or supporting the Russian government" can now also be sanctioned.
So far, the only reason for sanctions has been involvement in “the destabilization of Ukraine or the undermining of its territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence.”
The new law allows the imposition of sanctions against Russian companies from strategic sectors - in order for the Russian authorities to think about stopping the "destabilization" of Ukraine.
Directors of organizations affiliated with the Russian government can now also be subject to restrictions. The new law does not introduce specific sanctions.
The term "government" in this case includes the administration of the President of the Russian Federation, the Cabinet of Ministers, the army and law enforcement agencies, as well as the Central Bank. In addition, enterprises where the state of the Russian Federation is a minority shareholder, as well as organizations financed from state funds, can now become a target for sanctions.
London includes the financial, IT-sector, transport, digital technologies, chemical industry, construction organizations and departments, energy and resource extraction as strategic sectors.
The Guardian reports that government lawyers found it difficult to formulate the unprecedented provisions of the law.
“Our new legislation will be signed by the foreign minister this week and will go to parliament shortly thereafter. This will be the toughest sanctions regime against Russia, which means we can act together with the United States and other partners, ”the British Foreign Office said.
UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said London would only impose such sanctions if Russia "invaded" Ukraine.
“We don’t want that, we don’t want to impose sanctions, we would rather have good relations with Russia,” she said. Truss indicated that the British side was concerned about the alleged build-up of the Russian military presence near the Russian-Ukrainian border.
"We will not do this unless there is an invasion," she assured.
The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, on the air of the Rossiya 1 TV channel, said that the UK's reasons for new sanctions against the Russian Federation are artificial.
“Everything that comes after the word “sanctions” in the form of explanations is no longer of interest to anyone, because everyone understands the artificial nature of all these links and bindings,” the diplomat stressed.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, during negotiations in the Russian capital, told the head of the Foreign Office, Liz Truss, that the imposition of sanctions by London against Moscow would be met harshly.
“Possible anti-Russian sanctions, which, according to the new amendments to British law, can apply to any individual or legal entity connected in one way or another with the Russian state, if they are introduced, can be regarded only as an act of aggression.
Our response will be measured and tough,” the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed.
Moscow denies accusations of preparing an "invasion" of Ukraine. Kiev also sees no reason for serious concern.
bbabo.Net