MP banned from Russia after taking aid to Ukraine

A Gloucestershire MP who made a humanitarian trip to Ukraine to deliver aid has been banned from entering Russia.

Cameron Thomas, Liberal Democrat MP for Tewkesbury, went to Kyiv for the third anniversary of the war, and previously told the BBC that delivering essential medical aid was an emotional experience.

Mr Thomas is one of 15 MPs and six members of the House of Lords named on a Russian stop list, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

While the MP said the ban has not made "any immediate changes" to his travel plans, it has given him "the greatest possible endorsement" of his parliamentary activity.

In a statement, Russia cited the UK's "confrontational" stance towards Moscow as its reason for barring the politicians.

"The comprehensive nature of the anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom and the hysterical statements of British officials indicate that London does not intend to abandon its choice in favour of an open confrontation with Russia," the foreign ministry said.

Mr Thomas explained the statement included some of the things mentioned by him and other MPs in Parliament.

"It does mention specifically the £25bn of frozen Russian assets that are in London that I've specifically asked twice for the government to send to Ukraine," Mr Thomas told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"But I think, more broadly, our conversations about Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine and its past annexation of Crimea and The Donbas."

Mr Thomas said that his visit to Ukraine, which saw him cross the border from Poland to Lviv before travelling to the east of the country, opened his eyes to "the devastation" that has unfolded over three years of war.

Although he currently has no plans to visit Ukraine again, he said he "certainly wouldn't rule them out".

"I found their people to be really, really hospitable," he said.

"They're so incredibly resilient and they respect the British people so much, both for the support we've been giving them, and take inspiration for their own fight from the Battle of Britain.

"I very much hope we can see them through to victory in their own finest hour."

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