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The UK Announces New Sanctions as Donald Trump Destabilizes G7 Unity

Keir-Starmer

Politics

The UK Announces New Sanctions as Donald Trump Destabilizes G7 Unity

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Keir Starmer made it pretty clear where he stands on Russia and global alliances, subtly but firmly pushing back against Donald Trump’s latest comments, while ramping up plans for fresh sanctions on Moscow. The Prime Minister, who’s only just settling into the job, isn’t wasting time when it comes to foreign policy, choosing to keep the spotlight firmly on the war in Ukraine, even as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.

Ahead of this weekend’s G7 summit, Starmer said new sanctions are coming down the line aimed at tightening the screws on Vladimir Putin. “The fact is – Russia doesn’t hold all the cards,” he said, laying out a clear message that the UK isn’t softening its stance any time soon. “So, we should take this moment to increase economic pressure and show President Putin it is in his – and Russia’s – interests – to demonstrate he is serious about peace.”

He said the UK is putting the finishing touches on a new sanctions package and wants all G7 partners on board, particularly with a focus on cutting off Russia’s energy revenues. That bit is crucial, since much of Moscow’s war chest is still being filled by oil and gas sales, something both the UK and EU are looking to clamp down on further, reported the Express.

Starmer’s remarks contrasted sharply with Donald Trump’s take during a previous Oval Office sit-down with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where the former US President told him: “You don’t have the cards right now.” That statement, widely seen as undermining Ukraine’s position, wasn’t exactly echoed by anyone in Number 10.

While Downing Street didn’t directly call out Trump, the mood music from Starmer’s team suggested they were steering in a very different direction. The Prime Minister’s office later confirmed that he was “happy with the make-up of the G7,” subtly shutting down Trump’s suggestion that Russia should be brought back into the fold after being kicked out in 2014 for invading Crimea.

And that wasn’t the only Trump bombshell this week. He also floated the idea of bringing China into the G7, something that had many onlookers shaking their heads. When asked, Downing Street didn’t jump to respond but made it clear Starmer wasn’t interested in shaking up the current line-up.

New figures from the UK Government claim existing sanctions have already hit Russia hard, with state-run giants like Rostec, Rosatom, Gazprom and Rosneft reportedly facing severe financial strain. Since February 2022, they estimate sanctions have drained around $450 billion from the Russian economy – a massive blow that could cover two years of war funding for Moscow.

So far, Britain’s sanctioned more than 2,300 individuals, groups and vessels since the invasion began, and that number is likely to rise after this weekend’s summit.

Still, Starmer admitted that getting everyone on the same page won’t be easy. “We’ve got President Zelensky coming so that provides a good opportunity for us to discuss again as this group,” he said while en route to Canada. “We need to get Russia to the table for an unconditional ceasefire… if that doesn’t happen, sanctions will undoubtedly be part of the discussion at the G7.”

The summit could be another tense one, especially after the chaotic scenes in 2018 when Trump stormed out and tore up the G7 communique. He’s already signalled he won’t be signing a joint statement on Israel and Iran this time either.

Before the main event kicks off, Starmer has been holding quiet chats with other world leaders, including a sit-down with Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and a relaxed drink with Macron, Canada’s Mark Carney and Germany’s Friedrich Merz. His first meeting with Trump was also scheduled for tonight, and it’s safe to say, all eyes will be on that handshake

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