UK hits Russia with new sanctions as Trump protects Putin
The United Kingdom has announced additional sanctions aimed at further dismantling the economic and military capabilities of the terrorist state — Russia. The measures, unveiled during the G7 summit in Canada, are part of a sustained British effort to undermine the Kremlin’s ability to fund and sustain its full-scale war against Ukraine.
The latest sanctions package targets 30 individuals, entities, and assets tied to Russia’s military‑industrial complex, oil smuggling operations, and shadow financial networks. Central to the announcement is the blacklisting of 20 vessels that make up part of Russia’s so‑called “shadow fleet” — tankers used to evade the G7 oil price cap and covertly export crude oil for profit.
Two key shipping companies, Orion Star Group LLC and Valegro LLC‑FZ, which crew and manage these vessels, were also sanctioned. British officials say this fleet directly bankrolls Russia’s war effort and enables it to bypass international restrictions with impunity.
The UK also slapped sanctions on Russia’s Main Directorate of Deep‑Sea Research (GUGI), a submarine espionage and sabotage arm that threatens NATO undersea cables and infrastructure.
Further tightening the net, the UK sanctioned Vladimir Pristoupa and Olech Tkacz, UK residents who illicitly transferred over $120 million in sanctioned electronics to Russia—critical components sustaining Russian weapons production despite Western export bans.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated:
“We are turning the screws on Putin’s war machine. These sanctions are designed to cut deeper into the Russian state’s ability to wage its genocidal campaign against Ukraine.”
Since the 2022 invasion, the UK has sanctioned over 2,300 Russian-linked individuals and organizations. Today’s actions reinforce Britain’s leadership in maintaining pressure on the Kremlin—striking not only symbolic targets but also the logistical arteries that keep the war alive.
In stark contrast, at the same summit, US President Donald Trump underscored his reluctance to join these efforts, stating:
“Don’t forget, you know, sanctions cost us a lot of money. When I sanction a country that costs the US a lot of money, a tremendous amount of money… you’re talking about billions and billions of dollars. Sanctions are not that easy. It’s not just a one‑way street”.
By disrupting Russia’s illicit oil trade, degrading its military logistics, and freezing assets abroad, the UK is driving home a clear message: Russia cannot escape the cost of terror. Britain’s decisive moves, even while others hesitate, underscore its role as one of Ukraine’s most committed allies in the economic war against the Kremlin.
