Labour stands with the people of Ukraine.

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is an unprovoked and unjustifiable attack on a Western democracy. I condemn Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine in the strongest possible terms.

This morning we awoke to a barrage of distressing images and videos in the aftermath of Russia bombing Ukraine. It’s the innocent people who will suffer as a result of Putin’s power grab that’s the real travesty. 

Putin is hoping for inaction, so we must unite and take a stand.

These scenes were grim yet predictable. We’ve known for months this moment could be coming. The Prime Minister promised in the event of an invasion, he would unveil a full package of sanctions. He must act now. 

The measures announced this week do not go nearly far enough. We must respond with the hardest possible sanctions against all those linked to Putin and with urgent humanitarian support for the Ukrainian people. Here in Wales, we’re a proud Nation of Sanctuary. We must work together with our allies to prepare for a refugee emergency and stand firm behind the people of Ukraine.

This must be a turning point. For far too long this Conservative Government has turned a blind eye to Russia’s actions whilst continuing to receive millions in Russian donations and enabling influence over the UK. Government’s actions have so far failed to stem the flow of dirty money and corruption and most appallingly, we’ve seen a lack of commitment from this Prime Minister to closing loopholes that allow foreign money to infiltrate UK politics. 

Labour has called on the UK Government to work with us to take the action needed against Putin, stop foreign influence in our political system and to end this era of Putin-linked donations in the UK.