Three Liberal Democrat MPs representing constituencies in Surrey have been banned from entering Russia as part of what Moscow describes as "retaliatory personal sanctions" against members of the UK Parliament. The MPs — Helen Maguire (Epsom and Ewell), Will Forster (Woking), and Christopher Coghlan (Dorking and Horley) — were named on a list issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry following their vocal criticism of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the policies of Vladimir Putin's government.
The sanctions prohibit these MPs from entering the Russian Federation and come in the context of Russia's ongoing military campaign in Ukraine, now entering its third year since the invasion commenced in February 2022. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and widespread displacement, with many Ukrainian refugees having resettled in Surrey.
In response, Helen Maguire told SurreyLive that she views the ban with defiance: "I won’t stop calling out what’s happening for what it is. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is illegal, war crimes are ongoing, and more than 20,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted and taken to Russia. If highlighting these brutal truths and standing up to Putin and his regime results in sanctions, I’ll wear that as a badge of pride. It means we’ve got under their skin. In the Ukrainian people’s hour of greatest need, we must not stop now in applying pressure on the Kremlin."
Will Forster echoed this sentiment, indicating that the ban would not deter his activism. Speaking to SurreyLive, he said, "I am proud to have been banned from Russia following my recent visit to Ukraine and speaking out against Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. The Russian Government have banned me due to apparent ‘hostile statements and unfounded accusations’. Like the other British parliamentarians who have been banned, I will not be intimidated by this and will continue to stand up against Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine." He also noted plans to launch a report with the Henry Jackson Society entitled 'Russia Reality Check: How to Destabilise the Kremlin' aimed at promoting democracy within Russia.
Christopher Coghlan also commented on the sanctions, noting a sense of acknowledgement from the Russian authorities of his parliamentary speeches: "I was touched to see that the Russian government has been watching my speeches in Parliament and have sanctioned me. Good to see that the message is getting through that Ukraine can win with the rest of NATO’s support, if necessary, without Trump."
The Russian Foreign Ministry’s announcement cited what it portrayed as London's "ongoing confrontational course" and alleged that the United Kingdom has ‘demonised’ Russia and fabricated anti-Russian narratives while continuing to supply weapons to what Russia describes as the "neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv." It characterised the sanctions list as a response to what it termed "hysterical statements" by UK officials that include threats, lies, and rudeness toward Russia, which, according to Moscow, harm bilateral relations and foster Russophobia within Britain.
On the UK side, residents of Surrey of Russian nationality have been affected by government-imposed sanctions targeting Russian oligarchs and assets. One prominent figure was reportedly "reduced to tears" following the impact of these sanctions on their affluent lifestyle in the county.
This development highlights the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and the United Kingdom amid the continuing war in Ukraine, reflecting the broader international scrutiny and response to the conflict in Eastern Europe. The three Surrey MPs’ bans underline the personal and political repercussions faced by elected representatives who have taken a public stance against Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Source: Noah Wire Services