As the atrocity in Ukraine approaches its seventh week, the United Kingdom is spearheading worldwide efforts to guarantee Vladimir Putin is defeated.

We have joined forces with our allies and partners to support our Ukrainian friends in their fightback and to use sanctions to hit his dictatorship where it hurts. But we’re not going to stop there.

I’ve just returned from India as part of my diplomatic campaign to unite our allies in defence of liberty and sovereignty.

Next week, I’ll be travelling to Poland to see the incredible work we’re doing on the ground to address the human cost of Putin’s conflict.

Then I’ll head to Brussels to engage with our Nato friends and G7 partners to get action forward.

This is post-Brexit Britain. Global Britain in action – powerful, forceful, and determined in the face of global danger.

We may be proud of becoming the first country in Europe to begin delivering weaponry to the people of Ukraine.

We have sanctioned more of Putin’s associates and Russian companies than any other country. And we are one of the leading assistance givers, providing food, blankets, and medical supplies to our Ukrainian neighbours in their hour of need.

We know Putin was taken aback by the ferocity of the Western response.

He expected the Ukrainian people to either wilt or embrace his troops with open arms. Instead, a missile from a British-built NLAW tank buster is more likely to welcome them. They are also kitted out with British-made Starstreak missiles to keep the skies clear.

The United Kingdom has led the way in penalising Putin and his associates. We warned, together with our G7 colleagues, that Russian aggression would have serious repercussions, and we have responded with the most punishing sanctions the world has ever seen.

But our work is far from over. If Putin was serious about peace negotiations, he would have put an end to the bombardment of people and removed his troops out of Ukraine permanently. We can and must do more to persuade him to reconsider.

However, this will not be enough to cut off Putin’s military machine’s finances. We must go farther and faster in cracking down on those who are replenishing his war chest.

The United Kingdom is setting a good example by going after people who fund Putin’s government. We have imposed sanctions on 16 Russian institutions and have decided not to buy Russian oil this year. We are focusing our efforts on other businesses that are implicated in this conflict, such as diamonds. We’re putting sanctions on Putin’s lapdogs and cronies.

Untold horrors

There may be no place to hide. We sanctified anchorman Sergey Brilev and other propagandists who spread Putin’s bogus news this week. We also targeted Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev, called “the Butcher of Mariupol,” for leading the savage siege battle on this Ukrainian city.

We are penalising some of Putin’s favourite people, including as Roman Abramovich. By stopping their aircraft and confiscating their superyachts, we are putting the screws to Russian oligarchs.

They will not be able to wash their hands of this unlawful invasion. Putin knows only strength, and that must continue to define our reaction. We must continue to impose harsh sanctions on his dictatorship.

This is critical to placing Ukraine in the best possible position in any peace discussions. We cannot let our friends be sold off at the bargaining table. This includes making certain that Putin is never able to threaten Ukraine again.

The entire globe may see the unimaginable tragedies created by his rage. We have a moral obligation to intervene, which is why the United Kingdom is assisting individuals by contributing £220 million in humanitarian aid.

We’ve been loading up 16 trucks with food and water to support the villages and cities besieged by Putin’s soldiers, with the first supplies expected this week.

We’ve also flown more than 13 planeloads of medication and medical supplies out.

At this critical juncture, Britain is standing up to do what it does best. We are leading the charge in the defence of liberty and democracy. We are attempting to expand the coalition of free democracies. And we are demonstrating our resolve in our endeavour to put an end to Putin’s conflict.