AN OXFORDSHIRE MP has used her parliamentary privilege to urge the Government to "step up" and impose tougher sanctions, following what Boris Johnson has called, "increasingly threatening behaviour from Russia".
Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, has called on the Government to "do more" and "ramp up sanctions".
In a tweet Ms Moran said: "Every single one of the speakers in this debate on Russian sanctions thinks the Government has to do more. The PM needs to ramp up sanctions NOW. We’ve been behind the curve for 15yrs. This is the moment to step up."
The possibility of imminent war in Ukraine has raised fears not only of massive casualties but of widespread energy shortages and global economic chaos.
The Liberal Democrats said the Tories should hand cash from Russian-linked donors to civil society groups in Ukraine.
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The party said the money could help support independent media in the country and counter Russian disinformation.
Foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran said: “Boris Johnson should use the almost £2 million of Russian-linked donations received by the Conservative Party to support the people of Ukraine.
“This would send a powerful signal to Putin that the Conservatives are serious about no longer allowing themselves to be bankrolled by Russian money.
“It would also provide vital support to Ukrainians on the ground facing the threat of invasion and a sustained campaign of Russian disinformation.
“Europe is taking steps to wean itself off Russian gas, but so far Boris Johnson is failing to wean the Tory party off Russian money. It’s time for the Conservatives to put their money where their mouth is.”
More British weapons will be sent to Ukraine in response to the looming threat of a full-scale invasion by Russia.
This comes after the Prime Minister was urged to impose tougher sanctions on Russia as the Foreign Secretary said the Government was already considering a number of further measures to stop Vladimir Putin’s incursion into Ukraine.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said lethal defensive weapons and non-lethal aid would be sent to the country.
The UK has already sent anti-tank weapons to the Ukrainian military to help counter the threat posed by Russian forces ringed around the country’s borders.
The Prime Minister said: “In light of the increasingly threatening behaviour from Russia, and in line with our previous support, the UK will shortly be providing a further package of military support to Ukraine.
“This will include lethal aid in the form of defensive weapons and non-lethal aid.”
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