UK unveils fresh Russian sanctions as G7 tensions escalates

In a bold move to squeeze the Kremlin’s war chest, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will unveil a new round of UK sanctions on Russia this Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

The action, coordinated with G7 allies at the ongoing summit in Alberta, Canada, targets what Starmer called “Putin’s war machine.”

British officials say the measures will hit Russia’s military-industrial complex and energy revenues hard.

Downing Street confirmed that the sanctions are designed to weaken Moscow’s capacity to sustain its bloody war in Ukraine.

Starmer warned that only sustained pressure will convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to consider peace.

“This is about showing Putin that peace, not destruction, is in his interest,” Starmer declared at the summit.

While the UK and many G7 partners support the crackdown, unity within the bloc appears shaky.

U.S. President Donald Trump questioned the effectiveness of the sanctions and signaled reluctance to support the plan.

“Sanctions aren’t that simple,” Trump said. “This involves billions of dollars. We need to see if peace talks are possible before more punishment.”

Trump also reignited controversy by criticizing Russia’s expulsion from the G8 in 2014, calling it “a mistake” that complicates diplomacy.

Despite this, the UK is pressing forward. Though No. 10 has yet to release the full list of sanctions, a spokesperson said the decisions were still under final discussion.

The move comes after a deadly night in Ukraine. Fourteen civilians were killed in Kyiv following a barrage of Russian missiles and drones.

Ukrainian officials described it as one of the deadliest attacks in weeks.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the UK and its allies have maintained tough economic sanctions.

But as the war drags on, some cracks are emerging in the international alliance.

Starmer’s latest move marks a clear departure from his predecessor’s cautious diplomacy.

Observers see it as a strong foreign policy signal just weeks into his leadership.

Security analysts warn that while sanctions alone may not stop the war, they are essential to reducing Moscow’s ability to fund its military operations.

The UK’s new sanctions, if backed by the full G7, could deepen Russia’s economic isolation. But without unified enforcement, the impact may be limited.

Still, the UK remains firm. The message to Moscow is clear: Britain would not back down—and neither should its allies.

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