Moscow imposes sanctions on 18 ‘Russophobic’ British officials, historians and academics, including Lord Ashcroft and Admiral Simon Asquith
Russia has imposed sanctions on eighteen ‘Russophobic’ British citizens, including top officials and academics, over what Moscow claims are attempts to demonize Russia and drag out the war in Ukraine.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has issued “personal sanctions” in response to what it called London’s “continued confrontational stance” – as Britain continues to support Kiev in its resistance to Vladimir Putin’s invading forces.
It said in a statement, without providing evidence, that “by inciting the Zelensky regime to continue the bloodshed, the British must realize that they, together with Ukrainian neo-Nazis, bear responsibility for crimes against civilians.”
“We are forced to state that Russian-phobic British representatives do not shy away from discrediting the constitutional system and socio-political processes in our country.”
Senior officials on the sanctions list include British Deputy Defense Secretary James Cartlidge, Deputy National Security Adviser Sarah MacIntosh and Director of Submarines Simon Asquith.
Moscow imposed the sanctions as Britain continues to support Kiev in its resistance against Vladimir Putin’s invading forces
Lord Ashcroft has been vocal about his support for Ukraine, warning last week that Britain must strengthen its resolve in the face of Vladimir Putin’s aggression.
Other sanctions targets included Stuart Peach, the British Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, and Messrs Dan Hannan and Michael Ashcroft.
Lord Ashcroft has been vocal about his support for Ukraine, warning last week that Britain must strengthen its resolve in the face of Vladimir Putin’s aggression.
Seemingly referring to Russian experts and academics, Moscow added: “The so-called brain trusts operating on the basis of the largest British and Western educational institutions are making a significant contribution to London’s subversive work towards Russia.”
The sanctioned academics included historians Orlando Figes, Norman Davies, Timothy Garton Ash, Rob Johnson, David Abulafia and experts including Roy Allison of Oxford, Graeme Robertson of the University of North Carolina, Calder Walton of Harvard and James Sherr of the International Center. for Defense and Security in Tallinn.
It is not the first time that Moscow has imposed sanctions on British officials. Last year, the country imposed sanctions on diplomats in retaliation for what it said were Britain’s “hostile actions” in the war in Ukraine.
Director of Submarines Simon Asquith
British historian and author Timothy Garton Ash
British Defense Secretary James Cartlidge
Sir Stuart Peach, British Special Envoy to the Western Balkans
Tom Dodd, a senior envoy, was summoned to the Foreign Office in Moscow and commended for British support for what the Kremlin sees as Ukraine’s “terrorist actions” and for allegedly obstructing Russian diplomacy in Great Britain -Britain.
Many Britons have been banned from traveling to Russia and have had their assets frozen since Russia launched its all-out war in Ukraine almost exactly two years ago.
Britain has issued a steady stream of diplomatic sanctions against Moscow during that time, intended to deter its war efforts.
Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron unveiled new sanctions on arms suppliers in December in a bid to break Putin’s “international chain of suppliers” and punish those who “illegally finance” Russia’s war machine.