The UK has intensified economic pressure on Russia by announcing a new wave of sanctions. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced 30 new measures which target key areas of Russia’s financial, military, and energy sectors, in response to President Volodymyr Putin’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
"Putin's persistent unwillingness to engage in meaningful peace efforts has strengthened the UK’s determination to tighten its economic grip on Russia," said in a statement released by UK's government.
“These sanctions strike right at the heart of Putin’s war machine, choking off his ability to continue his barbaric war in Ukraine. We know that our sanctions are hitting hard, so while Putin shows total disregard for peace, we will not hesitate to keep tightening the screws," - the statement stated.
“The threat posed by Russia cannot be underestimated, so I’m determined to take every step necessary to protect our national security and keep our country safe and secure,” added the Prime Minister.
The latest sanctions further tighten the squeeze on Putin’s shadow fleet, with 20 oil tankers now directly targeted.
The UK is also stepping up pressure on those facilitating Russia’s illicit oil trade, sanctioning Orion Star Group LLC and Valegro LLC-FZ for their involvement in staffing and managing these covert vessels.
"Today’s measures also strike at the heart of Russia’s military capabilities," targeting the GUGI — the military agency behind the development of underwater intelligence operations. The statement said that this move not only hampers Putin’s war machine but also strengthens the UK’s defences against potential threats to subsea infrastructure.
Additionally, two UK-based individuals, Vladimir Pristoupa and Olech Tkacz, have been sanctioned for operating a "shadowy network of shell companies" that funneled over $120 million worth of electronics — many classified as high-priority — to Russia, according to the UK's press release.
It adds that these UK residents, who own businesses on British soil, have played a critical role in "supplying advanced electronics essential to Putin’s military campaign."
The UK is making it clear: "there is no safe haven for enablers of aggression."
Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said that the UK also plans to move with partners to tighten the Oil Price Cap to hurt Russia’s oil revenues, while ensuring stability of the energy market.
"We are determined to hit Putin where it hurts by striking at his oil revenues – the single most important source of funding for his barbaric war," - he added.
Switzerland is aligning with the European Union's 17th sanctions package by adopting the listed measures in response to Russia's continued aggression against Ukraine. Measures came into force on June 3.
G7 finance leaders meeting in Canada pledged to tackle global imbalances and suggested tougher sanctions on Russia, while also taking aim at unfair economic practices widely attributed to China.
Germany’s new chancellery chief Thorsten Frei is calling for tougher EU sanctions on Russia, including potential bans on gas and uranium and using frozen Russian assets. As Berlin's tone hardens, Frei says Putin has no intent for peace and warns of continued Russian escalation.
As President Putin intensifies strikes against civilians in Ukraine, the UK is stepping up pressure with a new package of 100 sanctions, stated the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
The European Union is drafting its 17th package of sanctions against Russia, to be discussed at a foreign ministers' meeting in May, according to the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
The Agreement between the Governments of Azerbaijan and the Maldives, which exempts holders of diplomatic, service, and official passports from visa requirements, officially takes effect on June 18, 2025.
The 7th International Music Festival “World of Mugham” opened with a grand ceremony at the Heydar Aliyev Palace in Baku on June 17, uniting artists and scholars from over 25 countries.
The second day of the annual June Climate Meetings in Bonn focused on preparations for the upcoming COP30 conference.
Leaders from China and five Central Asian nations convene in Astana, Kazakhstan, for the Second China–Central Asia Summit (June 16–18, 2025).
South Korea and Japan have agreed to deepen their cooperation with the United States in addressing regional security challenges, including North Korea, during a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, according to local media reports.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
Pakistan will begin its first freight train service to Russia from Lahore on June 22. The route is part of the INSTC and aims to connect Pakistan's rail network with Central Asia, establishing a new trade corridor via Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has cancelled certain flights scheduled for 13th and 14th June amid recent escalation of situation in the Middle East and the closure of airspace in several countries for security reasons.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 17th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The U.N. trade agency UNCTAD faces deep staff cuts amid a global funding crisis, raising concerns about its ability to support developing nations navigating economic shocks like U.S. tariffs.
Sweden’s central bank lowered its key interest rate to 2.00% on Wednesday, citing mild inflation and weaker-than-expected economic growth.
Los Angeles businesses report significant losses as immigration raids prompt many workers and customers to stay home, raising concerns over broader economic effects.
Global oil demand will continue rising until around 2030, even as China’s consumption peaks in 2027, driven by low U.S. gasoline prices and slower EV adoption, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Tuesday.
Oil prices rose on Tuesday, with analysts saying that uncertainty would keep prices elevated, even as there were no concrete signs of any production losses stemming from the Iran-Israel conflict.
The Agreement between the Governments of Azerbaijan and the Maldives, which exempts holders of diplomatic, service, and official passports from visa requirements, officially takes effect on June 18, 2025.
The 7th International Music Festival “World of Mugham” opened with a grand ceremony at the Heydar Aliyev Palace in Baku on June 17, uniting artists and scholars from over 25 countries.
The second day of the annual June Climate Meetings in Bonn focused on preparations for the upcoming COP30 conference.
Leaders from China and five Central Asian nations convene in Astana, Kazakhstan, for the Second China–Central Asia Summit (June 16–18, 2025).
South Korea and Japan have agreed to deepen their cooperation with the United States in addressing regional security challenges, including North Korea, during a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, according to local media reports.
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