British premier calls out Russia at G-20 over Ukraine war
LONDON (AA) – British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called out Russia for its war on Ukraine at the G20 summit on Tuesday.
Speaking in Bali, Indonesia, Sunak also announced a new generation of British frigates to improve the UK’s defenses.
A statement by the British government said Russia had “acted with disregard for sovereignty and international law.”
“There can be no normalisation of Putin’s behaviour, which has no place in the international community,” Sunak said.
“Russia’s actions put all of us at risk. As we give the Ukrainian people the support they need, we are also harnessing the breadth and depth of UK expertise to protect ourselves and our allies. This includes building the next generation of British warships.
“Putin and his proxies will never have a legitimate seat at the table until they end their illegal war in Ukraine. At the G20, the Putin regime – which has stifled domestic dissent and fabricated a veneer of validity only through violence – will hear the chorus of global opposition to its actions.”
Sunak also announced the next phase of the UK’s Type 26 frigate program, awarding a £4.2 billion (over $4.9 billion) contract to BAE Systems to build five more ships for the Royal Navy. This is in addition to three ships already under construction. They are expected to be completed by the mid-2030s.
The deal will support 1,700 jobs over the next decade in Glasgow, Scotland, in addition to supporting 2,300 jobs in supply chain across the UK.