Ukraine crisis intensifies – Russia’s ‘ultimatum’ and humanitarian corridors criticised
As the war that Russia is waging against Ukraine bears on, Putin claims that there can be a ‘peaceful resolution’ if Ukraine accepts his four terms: Ukraine to be barred from entering NATO, recognising Crimea as Russian territory, recognising Luhansk and Donetsk as independent and ceasing all military action. Ukraine does not accept what has been dubbed Putin’s ‘ultimatum’, and continues to fight against the Russian troops invading the country. There have also been reports that the humanitarian corridors Putin has put in place, to allow refugees to safely flee the countries, will save a miniscule number of Ukrainians. Zelensky has called the corridors ‘plain cynicism, plain propaganda’ and suggested the corridors would permit only a few dozen from safely leaving.
Sanctions increased
Sanctions to financially cripple the Russian economy have increased in recent days, with oil being targeted by Western countries. Biden has introduced an outright US ban on Russian imports of oil, while the UK aims to phase it out by the end of 2022. The European Commission has said the EU aims to be free of Russian oil imports “well before 2030”, and Germany has already put on hold the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Previous sanctions have set petrol prices to record highs in the UK and the US, with experts warning they may rise much further, worrying for those already feeling the effects of inflation here. Additionally, companies such as Coca-Cola and Starbucks are halting operations in Russia, as well as McDonalds who said that they “cannot ignore the needless human suffering unfolding in Ukraine”.
Dizzee Rascal charged with assault
On the 7th of March Dizzee Rascal (whose real name is Dylan Mills) was found guilty of assaulting his ex-fiancé, Cassandra Jones, at Wimbledon Magistrates Court. The rapper was found guilty of assault regarding an incident that happened on the 8th of June 2021 at a residence in Streatham, following a domestic argument. According to the Metropolitan Police, Jones was attended by the police at the time and reported “minor injuries” – she did not require hospital treatment. Mills allegedly “barged” his way into his ex-fiancé’s home “put his forehead against [Jones’] and pushed her around the room” and then “pushed her to the ground.” Mills will be sentenced on the 8th of April this year.
Gavin Williamson’s knighthood criticised
On the 3rd of March came the news that the ex-education secretary, Gavin Williamson, is to be on this year’s list of knighthoods. This has sparked widespread criticism due to his role in the exams fiasco in 2020, and also as he was sacked as both education and defence secretary in his time in government. The latter sacking being due to alleged reports he leaked highly sensitive information around Huawei and the UK’s proposed 5G network back in March 2019, a charge which he denies. There has been speculation that Johnson awarded Williamson a knighthood due to his loyalty to the PM, especially for running the 2019 election campaign that got the Prime Minister into office. Labour has called Williamson’s record “disgraceful” whilst the Liberal Democrats have said that the decision to knight him is “an insult to every child, parent and teacher who struggled through Covid against the odds”.
