UK Foreign Secretary seeks agreement from international community to step up support for Ukraine

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is seeking agreement from the international community to step up support for Ukraine, in the face of continuing attacks from Russian forces. Foreign Ministers from across the West have gathered in Brussels to consider how to maintain pressure on Russia. 

Ms Truss said, she wanted allies to agree to do more to restrict Russian oil and gas exports. But she also said the existing sanctions regime is damaging Russia. Ms Truss added that the West needed to do more on sanctions, particularly around fossil fuel exports to Europe, to cut off and



cripple the Russian economy. Around half of the European Union's gas and one quarter of its oil imports come from Russia.

Meanwhile, Home Secretary Priti Patel has travelled to Poland to launch a new family scheme for Ukrainian refugees. Under the extended scheme, which was announced earlier this week, British nationals and anyone settled in the UK will be able to apply to bring their parents, grandparents and siblings to the country. The UK's initial visa offer was restricted to immediate family, including children and partners.