Ukraine Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Ukraine

Antony Higginbotham Excerpts
Thursday 24th February 2022

(2 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Boris Johnson Portrait The Prime Minister
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Yes, we are doing that, although I think it is worth the House remembering the point that I made the other day: not every Russian is a bad person.

Antony Higginbotham Portrait Antony Higginbotham (Burnley) (Con)
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I welcome the package of sanctions that the Prime Minister has set out. Although I understand why it has not been possible to suspend Russia from the SWIFT payment system at this stage, I ask him: what work are we doing with our European allies to offer them reassurance, so that we can eventually get to a position where Russia can be suspended, because that is by far and away the biggest thing that will isolate the Russian economy?

Boris Johnson Portrait The Prime Minister
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My hon. Friend is spot on—actually, the biggest thing would be if everybody stopped taking Russian hydrocarbons, but SWIFT is extremely important. It is a Belgian company, as I am sure the House knows. We are raising the issue and trying to make progress with our friends but, for obvious reasons, it has to be done in unison.