A ‘secret’ document photographed by the press outside Number 10 Downing Street, the residence and office of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has revealed that the UK Government will not yet be imposing sanctions on Russia following Putin’s actions in Ukraine.
The Guardian reports:
“The picture of the document was taken by the freelance photographer Steve Back, who specialises in spotting secret documents carried openly by officials entering Downing Street. The document was in the hands of an unnamed official attending a meeting of the national security council called by the prime minister to discuss the Ukrainian crisis.”
The document will further undermine the British and Western positions in threatening Russia with economic sanctions as a result of what seems to be an impending annexation of Crimea.
Earlier today, the G7 issued a statement to Russia, claiming that its actions were incompatible with membership of the G8 group. The group said: “We call on Russia to address any ongoing security or human rights concerns that it has with Ukraine through direct negotiations, and/or via international observation or mediation under the auspices of the UN or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.”
But the document taken into 10 Downing Street earlier today said Britain should:
• “Not support, for now, trade sanctions … or close London’s financial centre to Russians.”
• “Discourage any discussions (eg at Nato) of contingency military preparations”.
• Embark on “contingency EU work on providing Ukraine with alternative gas [supplies] if Russia cuts them off”.
• Draw up a technical assistance package for Ukraine “ideally jointly with Germany”.
• Pursue the “deployment of OSCE and/or UN (but not EU) monitors in Crimea and eastern Ukraine”.
• Push the “UN secretary general Ban to take the lead in calling and creating a forum for engaging Russia on Ukraine”.
• Accept an emergency summit of EU leaders to discuss Ukraine.
Earlier today, British Prime Minister David Cameron said: “…we shall have to bring to bear diplomatic, political, economic and other pressures in order to make this point. That is the very clear message the whole world needs to send to the Russian government.”
The leaking of the document will undermine Cameron’s message, and possibly even embolden Vladimir Putin as Britain is revealed to value its financial services sector over the allegedly immoral moves by Russia in Crimea.
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