Kremlin concerned by plans for UK sanctions that may target Russian oligarchs’ London properties
Russia is deeply concerned with the UK’s intentions to widen sanctions against Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists in Moscow on Jan. 31, Russian news agency Interfax reports.
Peskov was responding to comments made the previous day by UK Foreign Minister Liz Truss, who said that rather than just targeting Russian companies directly involved in destabilizing Ukraine, the UK was now ready to place sanctions on any company connected to Putin’s regime.
According to Truss, “there will be nowhere to hide for Putin’s oligarchs and for companies involved in propping up the Russian state.”
Truss also did not rule out the possibility of confiscating the property of Russian oligarchs’ in London.
Peskov called the statement by Truss “alarming.”
“(The statement) also shows that London is unpredictable, and this makes it a matter of deep concern for international financial and business organizations,” Peskov said.
He claimed that London was “threatening big business,” and that Russia would duly react to the broadened sanctions if they were imposed.
“If a certain country attacks Russian business, there will be a response,” he said.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced plans to increase the presence of UK troops in Eastern Europe, more than doubling the number from 900 to nearly 2,000. Johnson is also expected to visit Ukraine in the coming days, and then to hold crisis talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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