Russia Hits Back: UK Diplomats Face Travel Ban Amid Ukraine Row
The Russia-UK diplomatic feud ratcheted up today as Moscow summoned British interim charge d’affaires Tom Dodd over “inadmissible support” for Ukraine’s military actions. Russia also slapped travel restrictions on UK diplomats. But London’s Foreign Office pushed back, saying the meeting with Mr Dodd was pre-planned routine business – not a summons.
UK Ramps Up Military Aid to Ukraine
Relations are already frayed amid the ongoing Ukraine crisis. The UK revealed it has sent 184,000 more artillery shells to Kyiv than originally promised last year. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed the UK supplied:
- 14 Challenger II tanks
- Over 4,000 tank ammunition units
- 5 million+ anti-personnel weapons
- 1,500 anti-aircraft weapons and 100 launchers
British support totals a staggering £2.3 billion between April 2022 and March 2023, underscoring the UK’s commitment to Ukraine’s defence.
Deadly Strikes Fan the Flames of War
Recent missile attacks on Ukraine’s southern ports, Odesa and Mykolaiv, killed three, including a married couple and a security guard. Ukrainian officials blamed “Russian terrorists” seeking to destabilise the nation. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed resilience and national unity in the face of Moscow’s attacks.
Moscow’s Grain War and NATO Tensions
Russia’s threat to treat cargo ships bound for Ukraine as carrying “military cargo” is rattling the shipping and insurance industries. Defence expert Professor Michael Clarke called it a scare tactic to deter insurers and halt trade to Ukraine. Moscow’s withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal has escalated global calls for negotiation.
Meanwhile, Poland has deployed over 1,000 troops on its Belarus border, alarming the Kremlin. NATO’s show of force is seen as hostile, raising tensions further. In the UK, the House of Lords debated bold ideas like offering Russia NATO membership in return for a full Ukraine withdrawal – a proposal that split the chamber.
Sanctions Shake-Up: Oleg Tinkov Cleared After Branson Appeal
In a surprising twist, the UK lifted sanctions on Russian billionaire Oleg Tinkov following an appeal from Richard Branson. The digital bank founder renounced his Russian citizenship and sold his stake in Tinkoff, winning backing from prominent figures including Branson and Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
