Rishi Sunak hints Britain could soon declare Russia's brutal Wagner Group a terror organisation as MPs put on show of unity in Commons and vow to help support Ukraine defeat Vladimir Putin
- Rishi Sunak hints Britain could declare Wagner Group as a terror organisation
- PM tells MPs the Govt continues to keep list of proscribed groups 'under review'
- Renewed pledges of support for Ukraine from across Commons during PMQs
Rishi Sunak today hinted Britain could soon declare Russia's brutal Wagner Group as a terror organisation.
The Prime Minister told MPs the Government continues to keep its list of proscribed groups 'under review' as he faced calls to act against the mercenaries.
Tens of thousands of Wagner fighters are thought to currently be part of Russia's assault on Ukraine.
Mr Sunak's suggestion of further measures against the group - led by Vladimir Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin - came as MPs put on a show of unity with Ukraine.
Renewed pledges of support for Ukraine's efforts in pushing back Russia's invasion force were issued from all sides of the House of Commons during Prime Minister's Questions.
They were made shortly before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made his own address to Parliament this afternoon on his surprise trip to the UK.
Rishi Sunak hinted Britain could soon declare Russia's brutal Wagner Group as a terror organisation
Tens of thousands of Wagner mercenary fighters are thought to currently be part of Russia's assault on Ukraine
Renewed pledges of support for Ukraine's efforts in pushing back Russia's invasion force were issued from all sides of the House of Commons
Mr Sunak opened PMQs to express his delight that Mr Zelensky had been able to travel to Britain for the first time since Putin began his full-scale invasion attempt.
'It is a testament to the unbreakable friendship between our two countries,' he told MPs.
'I am proud that we are expanding the training for Ukrainian forces to include jet pilots and marines, and ensure that Ukraine has a military able to defend its interests today and in to the future.'
The PM added that the UK and the Commons can be 'proud that we came together to stand by Ukraine when the moment mattered'.
In a session that was devoid of the usual party political point-scoring, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Parliament was 'honoured' to be addressed by Mr Zelensky today.
'From the outset of the war he has symbolised the heroism, the resolve, and the bravery of his people,' Sir Keir added.
'The PM and I joined this House together in 2015. We’ve lived through important moments in our domestic and international politics.
'But none of those experiences compares to the pain and suffering of the people of Ukraine.'
The Labour leader said it was 'vital that we all continue to stand together in full support'.
The SNP's Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, said that all MPs in the Commons were 'united in our condemnation of Vladimir Putin and our hope for a better future for Ukraine'.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said it was 'a source of great pride that the British people have stood firm, united and unwavering in support of the brave heroes of Ukraine'.
But he pressed the PM on British measures against the Wagner Group.
'They are doing Putin's bidding, carrying out atrocities against Ukrainians on a daily basis,' Sir Ed told Mr Sunak.
'So, on this symbolic day, will the PM finally commit to proscibing the Wagner Group - a crucial part of treating Russia as the rogue state that it is?'
Proscription makes it a criminal offence to be a member, encourage support for, or provide funds for a proscribed group.
Such action would put the Wagner Group on the same standing as al-Qaeda or Islamic State.
Responding to the Lib Dem leader, Mr Sunak replied: 'We have taken a lead from the beginning of this conflict in sanctioning and taking action against those entities connected to the war effort in Russia and beyond.
'We have already sanctioned the Wagner Group in its entirety, as well as taking specific action against particular leaders.
'With regard to proscription, it's not something we routinely comment on in public but rest assured we continue to keep all of the proscriptions we have under review.'
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