West Cornwall MP Derek Thomas has voiced his support for Ukraine and backs the government in bringing down tougher sanctions on Russia.

On Thursday 24th February, Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine.

Russia is currently occupying areas in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and areas north of Crimea, Kharkiv, and Kyiv.

In a statement, Derek added:

"We stand with the people of Ukraine, and support their freedom and security against President Putin's threats. This is not just an attack on Ukraine, but on all of us in Europe.

"I expressed doubt that the first round of sanctions would be enough to reverse Putin's tactics, and I support the government's work with our allies to increase the pressure – economic, political, and military – on Russian expansionism.

"The latest sanctions to be announced are the largest and most severe package Russia has ever faced.

"The United Kingdom will also provide further military support – including weapons for self-defensive use – and has committed 1,000 more British troops at readiness to support NATO and its allies in the even of a humanitarian crisis.

"Diplomatic engagement continues, but we need to back up our dialogue with deterrence."

The EU has responded to the invasion with a range of sanctions. In addition to excluding some Russian banks from Swift (an international money transfer system), it is sending arms to Ukraine, closing its airspace to Russian aircraft, and banning Russian state media outlets, such as RT.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a sovereign state, has caused nearly 400,000 people to flee the country, according to the UN.

There are unverified reports of 4,300 Russian death 210 Ukrainian deaths, including several children. Over 10,000 Ukrainians have signed up to help the resistance battle.

Boris Johnson said he is "appalled by the recent events in Ukraine" and Sir Kier Starmer called the invasion "unprovoked and unjustifiable."

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