Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Russian Sanctions Regime

Tuesday 30 July 2024 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government is determined to increase pressure on Russia and support Ukraine.
  • Government will review sanctions regime and take further actions to reduce Russia's war capacity.
  • Foreign Secretary discussed UK's indirect import of Russian crude oil via Indian refineries during visit to India.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Phil Brickell Lab Bolton West
Ukraine
Context

The MP raises concerns about the effectiveness of UK sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, noting that while over 2,000 individuals and entities have been sanctioned since 2014, enforcement efforts are lacking.

Question

Whether he plans to review the sanctions regime against Russia. This Government are determined to increase pressure on Russia and support Ukraine. However, since Russia's unlawful full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, there has been just one instance of UK law enforcement securing sanctioned funds despite over 2,000 individuals and entities being sanctioned.

Answer from Stephen Doughty

This Government are determined to increase the pressure on Russia and support Ukraine. We will keep our Russia sanctions regime under close review and go further to reduce Russia's capacity to wage war. The government has sanctioned an additional 11 ships as part of efforts to disrupt and deter Russia's shadow fleet.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The effectiveness of enforcing sanctions was not directly addressed, focusing instead on the determination to increase pressure through further action.

How: Under Review

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Q2 Phil Brickell Lab Bolton West
Economy Foreign Affairs
Context

The UK has sanctioned over 2,000 individuals and entities since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014. Despite this, there is only one instance of law enforcement securing sanctioned funds.

Question

What discussions is the Minister having with his counterparts across Government to ensure that those who evade sanctions are held to account and that money held unlawfully is secured for the public purse?

Answer from Stephen Doughty

This Government will not hesitate to take firm action to close loopholes and strengthen the enforcement of sanctions. While some steps have been taken, such as sanctioning an additional 11 ships through the European Political Community, more work is needed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific discussions with counterparts were not detailed; instead, a general commitment was given to strengthen enforcement.

How: Under Review

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Q3 John Whittingdale Con Maldon
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

Vladimir Kara-Murza, a British citizen and opponent of the Russian government, is detained along with Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist. The questioner seeks further sanctions to press for their release.

Question

Will he look at what further sanctions might be used to put pressure on the Russian Government to release Vladimir Kara-Murza and other political prisoners?

Answer from Stephen Doughty

We call for the release of all those detained in Russia on political grounds, including Kara-Murza and Gershkovich. We have met many families concerned about their loved ones' detention and will continue to take this very seriously.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific sanctions were mentioned; the answer focuses on the commitment to release prisoners without detailing new measures or timelines.

How: Take This Seriously

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Q4 Harriett Baldwin Con West Worcestershire
Foreign Affairs Energy
Context

The UK indirectly imports Russian crude oil through refineries in India. The questioner asks about steps to prevent this and discusses the Foreign Secretary's recent trip there.

Question

What steps do he and the Foreign Secretary plan to take to end the UK's indirect import of Russian crude oil via Indian refineries? Did the Foreign Secretary discuss that issue when travelling to see Commonwealth friends in India last week?

Answer from Stephen Doughty

We will continue to explore further options to strengthen our sanctions, including in the energy sector. The Foreign Secretary did indeed raise the issue at his meetings in Mangalore during a visit focused on strengthening ties with Commonwealth friends.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or commitments related to ending indirect imports were not provided; the answer mentions ongoing exploration of options without concrete measures.

How: Exploring Further Options

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