Russia's status as a pariah state was confirmed tonight when the United Nations General Assembly voted to condemn the invasion of Ukraine.
The result reflects the world’s horror at the illegal actions of Vladimir Putin which has led to the slaughter of countless innocent lives.
The words of condemnation must now be matched by a further tightening of the screw on Russian business and finance.
The UK Government has acted swiftly in cutting off banks and banning Russian planes from our airspace but has lagged behind the US and the EU in imposing other sanctions.
Unlike Brussels we have still to freeze the assets of the members of the Russian Parliament. Dozens of Putin’s cronies and high-ranking military have yet to be targeted.
The Tories have allowed London to become the world’s laundromat for Russian dirty money. They have also taken millions in donations from people with ties to the Kremlin.
If they are serious about putting pressure on the Russian regime they should widen sanctions and return the donations. The longer they take to act, the more the suspicion grows that they are still in thrall to the oligarchs.
The best of us
While Vladimir Putin has shown the worst of humanity with his brutal invasion, the public response to his vile actions has shown the best of humanity.
Millions of people have donated to charities to help the people of Ukraine and the hundreds of thousands made homeless by the war.
Some volunteers have even driven to the Polish-Ukrainian border to deliver much-needed medical supplies, food, clothes and toys for children. Their compassion has never been more necessary.
A blood hound
Hero dog Arnie is retiring after donating 21 pints of blood in his lifetime that have helped more than 80 other pets.
Thankfully this real blood hound was not terrier-fied of needles.
