UK to ban Russian diamonds in Ukraine war sanctions

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Russian diamond imports to the UK will be banned in the latest sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine.

Imports of Russian-origin copper, aluminium and nickel will be blocked, under legislation to be introduced later this year.

Rishi Sunak said the UK must show "violence and coercion do not reap rewards" ahead of the G7 summit in Hiroshima.

The Russian diamond industry was worth $4bn (£3.2bn) in exports in 2021.

The UK government said it was also planning to target 86 more people and companies connected to President Vladimir Putin, including people who are "actively undermining the impact of existing sanctions".

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