188体育

Elites linked to the Russian state can be excluded from entering the UK under new measures announced by the Home Secretary today. 聽

Under the new measures, the government will expand the criteria for exclusion to cover Kremlin-linked elites. This will ensure that, while Russia remains an acute national security threat, elites linked to the Russian state can be prevented from entering the UK.聽聽

Those who could be barred from the UK include anyone who:

• provides significant support to the Russian state
• owes their significant status or wealth to the Russian state
• enjoy access to the highest levels of the Russian state

Kremlin-linked elites can pose a real and present danger to our way of life. They denounce our values in public while enjoying the benefits of the UK in private - benefits which they look to deprive Ukraine of through their support of Russia鈥檚 war.聽聽They can act as tools for the Russian state, enabling the continuation and expansion of Russia鈥檚 aggression. 聽聽聽聽聽

The move will bolster both UK national interest and national security, one of the key priorities underpinning the government鈥檚 Plan for Change, by blocking the physical access of those who undermine UK national security. These new measures will complement the UK鈥檚 existing sanctions regime against Russian elites who are supporting Putin鈥檚 war effort, which will remain in place as long as Russia threatens Ukraine鈥檚 sovereignty. 聽

The move follows continued action from the UK to respond to Russia鈥檚 illegal war in Ukraine including through imposing extensive sanctions on elites linked to the Russian state, strengthening law enforcement capabilities through the National Crime Agency鈥檚 (NCA鈥檚) Combatting Kleptocracy Cell and closing the legislative loopholes open to money laundering by criminal actors.聽聽聽

These measures also follow ramped up efforts to tackle Russian illicit finance through the NCA鈥檚 Operation Destabilise, successfully disrupting 2 Russian money laundering networks which provided services to Russian oligarchs and helped fund Russian state espionage operations. The NCA-led action led to 84 arrests and over 拢20 million in illicit funds seized.聽This work continues and since the disruption, a further 拢1 million of cash has been seized and a further 6 arrests made.

This change builds on the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership signed in January, which commits both countries to work together to tackle the malign influence of elites linked to the Russian state.聽聽

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said:

Border security is national security, and we will use all the tools at our disposal to protect our country against the threat from Russia.

The measures announced today slam the door shut to the oligarchs who have enriched themselves at the expense of the Russian people whilst bankrolling this illegal and unjustifiable war.

My message to Putin鈥檚 friends in Moscow is simple: you are not welcome in the UK.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the UK鈥檚 total military, economic and humanitarian support for Ukraine amounts to 拢12.8 billion.聽We聽remain committed to the provision of 拢3 billion of military support a year to put Ukraine in the strongest position possible. 聽

Earlier this month, the Defence Secretary led the 50-nation strong Ukraine Defence Contact Group for the first time and announced a further 拢150 million firepower package for Ukraine, including drones, tanks and air defence systems.聽

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said:

As we mark the third anniversary of Russia鈥檚 illegal invasion, Putin is still waging a war he thought he would win in three days, because of fierce resistance from the Ukrainians. Our support for them is unshakeable.聽

I am proud of the UK鈥檚 leadership and unity on Ukraine. Keeping the Ukrainians in their fight and as strong as possible at any negotiating table is critical not only for them, but for the security of the UK. These new measures send a powerful message that we will do what it takes to turn the tables on Putin鈥檚 aggression.