LONDON, February 24 (Reuters) – Russian company Aeroflot AFLT.MM received a ban on flying to the UK on Thursday, after President Vladimir Putin orders invasion of Ukraine.
first minister Boris Johnson announced the ban in Parliament and the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority said it had suspended foreign carrier Aeroflot’s licence.
“This means Aeroflot will not be able to operate flights to the UK until further notice,” the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority said.
Transport Minister Grant Shapps said he had signed restrictions barring all scheduled Russian airlines from entering British airspace.
Britain announced its second package of sanctions on Thursday after Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine by land, air and sea.
Among those directly sanctioned were bank VTB, one of Russia’s largest, and state-owned conglomerate Rostec, a giant military conglomerate.
The package of people, entities, and subsidiaries will eventually exceed one hundred.
As determined by AFPThe UK will pass laws to prevent Russian states and entities from raising money in London, and will ban the export of “dual use” equipment that may have military applications.
It will also enact legislation to limit the amount of money Russians can keep in British bank accounts, although a maximum limit has yet to be set.
Boris Johnson said Britain and its allies would issue a massive economic sanctions package to weaken the Russian economy.
“Today, together with our allies, we will agree to a massive economic sanctions package designed in a timely manner to hamper the Russian economy,” he said in a televised address to the country.
Johnson said the West must end its dependence on Russian oil and gas, which has allowed Russian President Vladimir Putin to control Western politics.
“Our mission is clear: diplomatically, politically, economically and ultimately militarily, this terrible and barbaric adventure of Vladimir Putin must end in failure.”
In an earlier comment on Twitter, the British leader called the invasion a “catastrophe” for Europe, saying that I will talk to other G7 rich countries.
“I will also speak with other G7 leaders and call for an urgent meeting of all NATO leaders as soon as possible,” he said.
Foreign Minister Liz Truss said she had summoned the Russian ambassador to explain Moscow’s actions in Ukraine.
Britain, like the United States and the European Union, has threatened to impose tougher sanctions on Russia if it invades Ukraine, a move Russian President Vladimir Putin previously said Moscow would never take.
“Freelance bacon fanatic. Amateur internet scholar. Award-winning pop culture fan.”