UK and US seek action in response to ‘war crimes’
THE UK is to push for tougher international sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s Russia and increase supplies of arms to Ukraine, as evidence of atrocities continue to emerge from the war zone.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday said “Britain will never waver from supporting our friends”, in a sign of the increased commitment to defend Ukraine.
Mr Johnson said the discovery of mass graves in areas where Russian forces had withdrawn from around Kyiv was “sickening” and promised “we will not rest until justice is done”.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss was due to meet her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, in Warsaw yesterday ahead of key G7 and Nato talks later this week, when she will push for tougher economic measures against “the Putin war machine”.
Ms Truss argues that weakening Russia’s economy will help strengthen Ukraine’s hand in peace negotiations with Moscow. She will hold talks with her Polish counterpart, Zbigniew Rau, today and has also pledged a £10 million civil society fund for Ukraine, including support for organisations dealing with sexual violence following reports of Russian forces using rape as a way to terrorise the civilian population.
Ms Truss called for Russia to be suspended from the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. “Given strong evidence of war crimes, including reports of mass graves and heinous butchery in Bucha, Russia cannot remain a member,” she wrote on Twitter.
There has been widespread international outrage about atrocities, including possible mass executions carried out by Russian forces as areas around the capital, Kyiv, returned to Ukrainian control. Mr Johnson said: “The discovery of more mass graves outside Kyiv is sickening. The UK will not stand by whilst this indiscriminate and unforgivable slaughter takes place. We are working to ensure those responsible are held to account. We will not rest until justice is done.”
Ahead of her talks in Poland, Ms Truss said: “Putin is yet to show he is serious about diplomacy. A tough approach from the UK and our allies is vital to strengthen Ukraine’s hand in negotiations.
“Britain has helped lead the way with sanctions to cripple the Putin war machine,” she added. “We will do more to ramp up the pressure on Russia and we will keep pushing others to do more. We will continue to support those who are suffering as a result of Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, including the victims of sexual violence and those in need of humanitarian support.”
United States President Joe Biden has called for a war crimes trial against President Putin, and said he will seek more sanctions after the reported atrocities in Ukraine.
“You saw what happened in Bucha,” Mr Biden said, describing Mr Putin as a “war criminal”.
Mr Biden’s comments to reporters came after Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Bucha, one of the towns surrounding Kyiv where Ukrainian officials say the bodies of civilians have been found.
“We have to continue to provide Ukraine with the weapons they need to continue the fight, and we have to gather all the detail so this can be an actual... war crimes trial,” Mr Biden said yesterday.
“What’s happening in Bucha is outrageous and everyone sees it,” the president added.