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Scottish ministers among those barred from Russia in new wave of sanctions

The Russian foreign ministry released a list of people no longer allowed into the country.

Craig Paton
Monday 01 August 2022 17:35 BST
Four Scottish ministers were among those sanctioned by the Russian Government (Jane Barlow/PA)
Four Scottish ministers were among those sanctioned by the Russian Government (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Archive)

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The Russian government has barred a number of Scottish politicians from the country in response to aid given to Ukraine following the invasion.

In a statement on Monday, the Russian foreign ministry said the additions to the countryā€™s ā€œstop listā€ were due to ā€œcontinued application by the UK Government of the mechanism of sanctionsā€ against Russians.

Holyrood Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson and Ukraine minister Neil Gray were all placed on the list.

SNP MSP Fiona Hyslop was also sanctioned but was mistakenly described as ā€œScottish cabinet secretary for economic, labour and cultural affairsā€ ā€“ Ms Hyslop was economy, fair work and culture secretary until last year.

On Twitter, Mr Robertson said: ā€œThe Russian foreign ministry clearly doesnā€™t like criticism of Moscowā€™s invasion of Ukraine and dislikes those who support Ukrainian freedom.ā€

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford, Scottish Green co-leader ā€“ and Scottish Government minister ā€“ Lorna Slater and her fellow Green MSP Ross Greer have also been placed on the list, as has Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton.

Mr Blackford said: ā€œThe Russian regimeā€™s brutal invasion of Ukraine must be challenged and the war crimes it is committing in the country must be held to account.

ā€œThe SNP will continue to stand up and oppose Russiaā€™s illegal actions in Ukraine and we welcome the sanctions that have been imposed so far.

ā€œHowever, it must not stop there and we will continue to urge the UK Government to take the steps it can to go further against individuals and institutions of key economic and strategic interest to the Russian government.

ā€œThe SNP Scottish Government is proud to play itsĀ part in supporting our Ukrainian friends, including through aid and the resettlementĀ of UkrainianĀ refugees.

ā€œWe must be united in the face of President Putinā€™s aggression and the co-ordinated solidarity shown for Ukraine must and cannot waiver.ā€

Responding to the news, Ms Slater said: ā€œVladimir Putinā€™s outrageous and illegal invasion of Ukraine has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions more people.

If the cost of speaking up for the rights of Ukraine, and condemning Putinā€™s war, is a ban from visiting Russia then I think Iā€™ll be able to cope

Green MSP Ross Greer

ā€œIf the cost of speaking out against Putinā€™s war crimes is a ban on visiting Russia then I will live with these consequences, but I will not stop supporting Ukraine.ā€

While Mr Greer said: ā€œWatching the bravery of the Ukrainian people in recent months has been absolutely inspiring.

ā€œIf the cost of speaking up for the rights of Ukraine, and condemning Putinā€™s war, is a ban from visiting Russia then I think Iā€™ll be able to cope.ā€

Mr Cole-Hamilton said he would wear the ban as a ā€œbadge of honourā€.

ā€œOne day, after Putinā€™s army has been defeated and his government swept away by the tides of history, I hope that I will have the chance to visit and meet with those who have bravely stood up against the Russian regime,ā€ he said.

ā€œUntil that happens, I will wear this ban as a badge of honour.

ā€œThe UK must redouble its efforts to help Ukraine achieve victory on the battlefield, while here in Scotland, our Government must get serious about patching the holes in the refugee scheme and helping those who have fled to our shores.ā€

Nicola Sturgeon was similarly sanctioned earlier this year.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, shadow foreign secretary David Lammy, shadow levelling up secretary Lisa Nandy and former Nato secretary general George Robertson were also among those banned from entering Russia.

A number of journalists were included in Mondayā€™s sanctions, including Piers Morgan, BBC newsreader Huw Edwards and ITV journalist Robert Peston.

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