No Russian vessels are scheduled to call in at Avonmouth Docks, the Bristol Port Company has said, as the Government asks UK ports not to provide access to them.
Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps tweeted this afternoon that he had written to all UK ports asking them not to provide access to any Russian flagged, registered, owned, controlled, chartered or operated vessels. He said: "Given Putin's action in #Ukraine I've made clear these vessels are NOT welcome here with prohibiting legislation to follow."
The news comes as Ukraine has asked Russia for a ceasefire, but the key cities of Kyiv and Kharkiv appear to have survived another night of Russian attacks. However, reports say Belarus could deploy troops 'as soon as today' after their dictator president Alexander Lukashenko warned of 'World War Three.' The UN has warned that up to seven million people could end up fleeing the country as a result of the war.
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A spokesperson for the Bristol Port Company, which oversees Avonmouth and Royal Portbury docks, has confirmed no Russian vessels are expected to call in. He said: "We have no Russian vessels currently scheduled to call at Bristol and we do not offer refuelling facilities."
The Bristol Port Company was also asked if Russian vessels ever call at the docks and, if so, how often this happens and what goods they transport. The Bristol Port Company was asked how is the war in Ukraine going to impact its relationship with Russian ships as well.
Vladimir Putin has put Russian nuclear deterrent forces on high alert as he told state television that NATO powers have made "aggressive statements," while the West continues to impose hard-hitting sanctions on the country. It's been reported that Vladimir Putin had a 48-hour plan to seize Kyiv and win the war - that appears to have failed.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky says the next 24 hours will be "crucial" as the invasion reaches its fifth day. The Mirror reports roughly 400 mercenaries are operating in Kyiv under Kremlin orders to assassinate the Ukraine president.
The EU announced yesterday (Sunday, February 27) it would be taking the unprecedented step of sending arms to Ukraine, as well as closing its airspace to Russian aircraft and banning Russian state media. Member states will also take Ukrainian refugees and bypass the usual asylum application process.
A second protest in support of Ukraine has been planned for Bristol this week. A 'Bristol Solidarity Protest with Ukraine' will take place on Wednesday, March 2 at 5.30pm on College Green.
More than 100 people have shown interest in the event on Facebook, which follows a rally in support of Ukraine in the city centre on Saturday, February 26 and a vigil last Thursday.
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