Honiton: Local MP urges the UK government to get even tougher after Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine

Neil Parish, the Member of Parliament for Tiverton and Honiton, has issued a strongly worded statement condemning Putin's government for an illegal invasion and he has urged the UK government to go further in its sanctions.

On Thursday 24 February, Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine.

In a statement for Nub News, Neil Parish said: "Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine has not only violated its sovereignty, but is taking Ukrainian lives.

"We cannot stand by whilst this happens. The Government's latest package of economic sanctions is welcome.

"Freezing Russian assets and denying their banks access to our markets will put pressure on the Russian economy. But we will need to get even tougher.

"Putin's forces have already reached Kiev. The UK and our NATO allies must respond with appropriately serious sanctions. It is time to exclude Russia from SWIFT and fully cut off their financial capabilities.

"We must convince our European partners, including Germany and Italy, to join us in standing up to Putin and to stop putting their energy deals before Ukrainian lives."

The EU has responded to the invasion with a range of sanctions. In addition to excluding some Russian banks from Swift (an international money transfer system) it is sending arms to Ukraine, closing its airspace to Russian aircraft, and banning Russian state media outlets, such as RT.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a sovereign state, has caused nearly 400,000 people to flee the country, according to the UN.

There are unverified reports of 4,300 Russian death 210 Ukrainian deaths, including several children. Over 10,000 Ukrainians have signed up to help the resistance battle.

Boris Johnson said he is "appalled by the recent events in Ukraine" and Sir Kier Starmer called the invasion "unprovoked and unjustifiable."

The situation in the Ukraine is developing all the time, but you can read updates here .

The Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal for Ukraine. You can make a donation here