UK to announce 'massive' sanctions package meant to 'hobble the Russian economy'

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) - Britain on Thursday said it would announce alongside allies a “massive package of economic sanctions designed in time to hobble the Russian economy.”

In a televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that “our worst fears have now come true and all our warnings have proved tragically accurate.”

“President [Vladimir] Putin of Russia has unleashed war in our European continent,” Johnson said.

“He has attacked a friendly country without any provocation and without any credible excuse. Innumerable missiles and bombs have been raining down on an entirely innocent population.”

“A vast invasion is underway by land, by sea, and by air,” Johnson said.

Johnson said, “Ukraine is a country that for decades has enjoyed freedom and democracy and the right to choose its own destiny.”

“We and the world cannot allow that freedom just to be snuffed out. We cannot and will not just look away.”

Johnson said the UK and its allies were so alarmed by the months and years of “Russian intimidation” that they sent Ukraine defensive weapons.

“Today in concert with our allies, we will agree a massive package of economic sanctions designed in time to hobble the Russian economy,” he said.

“And to that end, we must also collectively cease the dependence on Russian oil and gas that for too long has given Putin his grip on Western politics,” he added.

- ‘This barbaric venture must end in failure’

“Our mission is clear,” Johnson said.

“Diplomatically, politically, economically – and eventually, militarily – this hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure,” he explained.

Directly addressing the Russian public, Johnson said he could not believe “this is being done in your name or that you really want the pariah status it will bring to the Putin regime.”

“I say to the Ukrainians in this moment of agony: We are with you we are praying for you and your families and we are on your side,” he underlined, adding that “we are joined in our outrage by friends and allies around the world.”

Johnson also vowed to keep working with Ukraine “because this act of wanton and reckless aggression is an attack not just on Ukraine.”

“It is an attack on democracy and freedom in East Europe and around the world.”

“This crisis is about the right of a free, sovereign independent European people to choose their own future, and that is a right that the UK will always defend,” Johnson said.

Putin early Thursday announced a military intervention in Ukraine, just days after recognizing two separatist-held enclaves in eastern Ukraine. The recognition drew international condemnation and announcements of tougher sanctions on Moscow.

In a speech on Monday, Putin cast doubt on Ukrainian sovereignty and questioned its very right to exist as a country.

In recent months Putin had amassed over 100,000 Russian troops around Ukraine, but repeatedly denied any intention of invading.