Britain has announced large-scale additional sanctions against Russia. This is interpreted as a signal to check the United States, which has been siding with Russia in ceasefire negotiations ahead of the summit with the US next week.
According to AFP and other sources on the 23rd (local time), British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly stated in a press release, "It is now time to increase pressure on Russia," and "a new set of sanctions against Russia will be announced on the 24th." The 24th marks the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the start of the war.
Secretary Cleverly emphasized that this new sanctions package will be the largest since the outbreak of the war. He said, "This is the most important moment in the history of Ukraine, Britain, and all of Europe," and added, "Europe must double its support for Ukraine."
The sanctions appear to be aimed at checking the United States ahead of the UK-US summit scheduled for the 27th. Europe is wary of then-US President Donald Trump's moves to exclude Ukraine from ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Europe insists that it must also participate at the negotiation table.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed the view that Ukraine should be central to the ceasefire negotiations. Starmer spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the day before and said, "Protecting Ukraine's sovereignty is essential to deterring future Russian attacks," and "President Zelenskyy is a democratically elected leader." This is seen as a rebuttal to President Trump's criticism of Zelenskyy as a 'dictator.'
Starmer is also reported to be in communication with French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of the summit with President Trump on the 24th. This is interpreted as an effort to form a front to check the United States by coordinating with President Macron.
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