Ed Miliband warns Putin he will remain a pariah as Britain announces £54m in winter aid, fresh sanctions and funding for war crimes justice…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Ed Miliband has warned Vladimir Putin that Britain will not relent in its support for Ukraine, declaring that the Russian president will “remain a pariah” unless he chooses peace.
The Foreign Secretary delivered the message during his first visit to Ukraine in the role as he met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and announced £54 million in additional winter support for the country.
“You cannot wait us out. Until you choose the path of peace, the UK will not relent in its support for Ukraine, our values, or our national security. You will remain a pariah,” Miliband said.
The visit came as Ukraine faces its fifth winter under Russia’s full-scale invasion, with continued attacks threatening energy supplies, heating and water services.
“Five winters on, the people of Ukraine are still living under constant threat of Russian strikes, energy blackouts and death,” Miliband said. “Russia could end this war tomorrow. Instead we’ve seen escalating attacks, including on key infrastructure and Ukrainian cultural landmarks.”
Miliband made the remarks during a visit with Zelenskyy to a damaged residential building in Pryluky, in the Chernihiv region, where a recent Russian strike killed at least 22 people. He spoke with residents and emergency workers involved in recovery efforts.
The Foreign Secretary used the visit to announce £54 million in new humanitarian and energy assistance aimed at helping Ukrainians withstand the coming winter.
The package includes £20 million for energy security, including emergency repairs to the electricity grid, backup generators, solar power and technologies to diversify energy supplies.
A further £34 million will help maintain heating and water services and provide direct financial assistance to vulnerable families. The support will be delivered in partnership with the Ukrainian government and aid organisations including UNICEF, the UN refugee agency and the Ukrainian Red Cross.
The UK also announced £6.3 million to support Ukraine’s domestic efforts to pursue justice and accountability for war crimes committed during Russia’s full-scale invasion.
During his visit to Kyiv, Miliband met wounded Ukrainian veterans receiving medical treatment and heard about the injuries they had sustained on the front line.
Fresh sanctions target Russia’s oil sector
Alongside the aid package, Britain announced fresh sanctions targeting people and organisations linked to Russia’s financial, oil and technology sectors.
The measures include 38 designations, targeting companies including oil firms Zarubezhneft and INK Capital, as well as 12 additional tankers associated with Russia’s shadow fleet.
The UK government said the latest measures mean more than 90 per cent of Russia’s total oil production capacity is now covered by British sanctions. The country has also sanctioned more than 600 vessels under its Russia sanctions regime, with the total number of sanctions against Russia exceeding 3,500.
The measures are intended to restrict the revenue and supply chains that help finance Moscow’s war effort.
Britain has provided more than £1 billion in humanitarian and energy support to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The visit also saw the launch of a UK-Ukraine Strategic Dialogue under the countries’ 100 Year Partnership, designed to strengthen cooperation and support Ukraine’s long-term security and prosperity.
