The UK is expected to unveil new sanctions against Russia designed to “restrict Putin’s war machine” alongside other Ukraine allies on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the measures would increase economic pressure on the Kremlin to show Vladimir Putin “it is in his and Russia’s interests to demonstrate he is serious about peace”.
However, it appeared unlikely that the US would join the move after Donald Trump signalled his opposition to further measures during the G7 summit in Canada, saying the sanctions “cost [the US] a lot of money”.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials said 14 people were killed after another wave of drone and missiles struck Kyiv overnight.
Downing Street said the new sanctions package would aim to keep up “pressure on Russian military industrial complex” but did not provide further details.
In a statement, Sir Keir said he and other G7 partners were finalising the new measures at the Alberta summit, and that they would “squeeze Russia’s energy revenues and reduce the funds they are able to pour into their illegal war”.
“The fact is, Russia doesn’t hold all the cards,” he said.
Asked why limited information had been released about the contents of the sanctions package, a No 10 spokesman said: “It’s just a point of fact that the G7 has only just begun… it would be premature to get ahead of what those sessions will yield.”
Earlier on Monday, Trump – who announced he would leave the summit early due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East – indicated he did not back the sanctions plan.
He said: “You’re talking about billions and billions of dollars. Sanctions are not that easy. It’s not just a one-way street.”
Trump said he was “waiting to see whether or not a deal” could be agreed between Russia and Ukraine to end the war before signing up to a new sanctions package.
During a press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump also called Russia’s removal from the G7 group “a mistake” and said it “makes life more complicated”.
In 2014, then-US President Barack Obama and other world leaders decided to expel Russia from the group of major economies after Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
