Boris Johnson has said that the UK 'cannot and will not' look away as Russia invades Ukraine.
The Prime Minister addressed the nation following Russia's invasion in the early hours of this morning (24 February).
He said: "Today in concert with our allies we will agree a massive package of economic sanctions designed in time to hobble the Russian economy."
The PM described the invasion of Ukraine as the 'hideous and barbaric venture of Putin', who - he said - has brought a 'tidal wave of violence' to the country.
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Addressing the Ukrainian people, Johnson added: "We’re with you, we’re praying for you and your families.
"I don’t believe the Russian dictator will subdue the national feeling of Ukrainians".
He also said: "It’s an attack on democracy throughout the world.
"This is about the right of a country to choose their own future and that is a right the UK will always defend."
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Johnson also said he had spoken with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to offer the 'continued support of the UK'.
On the UK, he said: "We will of course do everything to keep our country safe."
Johnson chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Office Briefing Room first thing this morning at which the course of action was decided.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in the early hours of this morning that Russia would commence a ‘military operation’ in Ukraine to ‘protect people who for eight years have been suffering persecution and genocide by the Kyiv regime’.
He continued: "For this we will aim for demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine, as well as bringing to justice those who carried out multiple bloody crimes against civilians, including citizens of the Russian Federation,
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"Our plans do not include occupying Ukrainian territory."
A package of sanctions was announced by Johnson earlier this week, including freezing the assets of five Russian banks, as well as three Russian billionaires.
The billionaires have also been hit with travel bans.
The Prime Minister tweeted this morning to share his feelings on the Russian incursion into Ukraine territory, writing: “I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskyy to discuss next steps.
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“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.”
His US counterpart Joe Biden has also strongly condemned Russia’s actions, making a statement that promised ‘the world will hold Russia accountable’ for their actions.
The President of the United States tweeted: “I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskyy to discuss next steps.
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“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.”
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said: “Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes.
“This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win.
“The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.”
Topics: World News, UK News, Russia, Vladimir Putin, Boris Johnson, Politics
Tom Wood