Sanctions won’t defeat Putin. We must challenge his authoritarian ideology | David Lammy

Global opposition needs to show aspiring despots that Russian's invasion of Ukraine is a mistake on a historic scale

Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine is an unprovoked outrage and a heinous violation of international law. It is proof of his utter disregard for the health and wealth of the people of Russia and Ukraine. He is a tyrant prepared to take lives, destroy infrastructure and rob his own citizens in the name of a demented imperialist dream.

The economic sanctions that the UK, its allies and partners enforce must be as severe as possible. The aim should be to cut Russia out of the western economic system, targeting the finance, energy, technology and defence sectors as well as individuals linked to Putin and the Russian government. The effects should be deep and long-lasting. This confrontation will last for years into the future. And here at home, after years of stubborn inaction, the government must now finally expunge corrupt Russian money from the UK. We must close the cracks and loopholes through which the tentacles of corrupt finance reach into our economy and democracy.

David Lammy is the Labour MP for Tottenham and shadow foreign secretary

Guardian Newsroom: the Russian invasion of Ukraine
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