24 February 2024
On the second anniversary of Russia’s war on Ukraine, Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay said:
“This second anniversary is a reminder of the high costs of war and the continuing need to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine, whose land has been invaded and homes attacked by the Putin regime.
“The Russian invasion was entirely unjustified, and its troops must withdraw from all the land it has invaded and annexed.
“The UK government should be doing much more to tighten sanctions on Russia. In just one week this month Russia exported 21 million barrels of crude oil and 1.45 million cubic metres of liquefied natural gas. [1]
“Sales of these fossil fuels are helping the government raise the funds needed to produce the missiles and drones used to attack Ukrainian civilians. They must be stopped through an effective international sanctions regime.
“Too many UK-headquartered companies are still doing business in Russia when they should long ago have cut all commercial ties with the Putin regime. The UK government should act and tell them to leave now.
“The UN General Assembly has called for Russia’s unconditional withdrawal, a just and lasting peace based on the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine and the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities. A just peace must also include the investigation and prosecution of war crimes.
“We will continue to support the Ukrainian people’s right to enjoy peace, democracy and self-determination. The Green Party stands with Ukraine, applauds its resistance to invasion and aggression and recognises its right to exist as an independent, free country.”
NOTES to EDITORS
[1] Analysis is provided by Global Witness, a climate advocacy group. Global Witness is working in collaboration with the Russian Tanker Tracking Group, made up of representatives of the Ukrainian government, academics, technical experts and former politicians – https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/stop-russian-oil/
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