​​​​​​​LONDON

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned on Thursday the latest Russian airstrikes on Kyiv as "a real reminder of who the aggressor is in the ongoing war in Ukraine."

Speaking during a visit to a Rolls-Royce factory in Bristol, Starmer told the media: "I think it’s a real reminder that Russia is the aggressor here and that is being felt by the Ukrainians, as it has been felt for three long years now. That’s why it’s important to get Russia to an unconditional ceasefire."

"Obviously, we had talks in London this week, Paris last week. We’re making progress towards the ceasefire. It’s got to be a lasting ceasefire. But these attacks, these awful attacks, are a real, human reminder of who is the aggressor here and the cost to the Ukrainian people."

The comments come as the UK announced 150 new trade sanctions against Russia, targeting technology and software used in the defense and energy sectors.

Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty outlined the measures. "Putin thought he could use British markets to boost his war effort, buying harmless goods and turning them into tools of war – but the UK is exposing and acting on this sinister trade," he said in a statement.

"We’re also banning outright video game controllers going to Russia, preventing them from being used to pilot drones on the frontline, meaning gaming consoles will no longer be repurposed to kill in Ukraine. And our tough new measures will also degrade Russia’s military machine – new export sanctions mean Putin will no longer be able to get his hands on specialist technology used to produce weaponry for his illegal war," he added.