After the recognition of the independence of the self-proclaimed republics "LPR" and "DPR" by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the UK supported Ukraine and introduced a package of sanctions.
This is stated in the official document of the HM Treasury, Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation of Great Britain.
Thus, Britain will impose sanctions on five Russian banks, including «Rossiya Bank» and «Promsvyazbank», «Genbank», «Black Sea Bank for Development and Reconstruction», «Industrial Savings Bank». According to preliminary data, their assets will be frozen.
In addition, sanctions will be imposed against oligarchs close to the President of the Russian Federation, Gennady Timchenko, and the Rotenberg brothers. The assets of these persons will also be frozen, and in addition, they will be prohibited from entering the UK.
According to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the presence of the Russian military on the territory of the DPR and LPR is an "invasion". He noted that this is only the first stage of sanctions and if Putin goes further, there will be the next packages.
The Prime Minister strongly condemned the Kremlin’s decision to recognize Luhansk and Donetsk as independent states and said the move made the Minsk agreements and process unworkable.
He added that the UK was already engaging with partners on the issue and said the UK would raise it at the United Nations Security Council and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in the coming days.
The Prime Minister also said he would explore sending further defensive support to Ukraine, at the request of the Ukrainian Government.
Earlier Apostrophe reported that the U.S. also imposed sanctions following Russia's recognition of the LDPR.