Shailesh Vara MP’s response to being put on Russia’s banned list

British MPs were wearing sanctions as a “badge of honour” on Wednesday after Moscow banned nearly 300 from entering Russia in retaliatory action over the UK’s response to the invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian foreign ministry said it was taking action against 287 members of the House of Commons in response to sanctions against Russian politicians, though its list contained numerous former MPs.
A statement accused the Conservative and Labour members of “whipping up of Russophobic hysteria”.
Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov’s department announced the move in response to the UK sanctioning 386 members of the Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, last month.
Following the announcement by Russia’s Foreign Ministry to ban 287 present and former members of the House of Commons, Shailesh Vara MP, who is on the list, said: “I wasn't planning a visit to Russia but being put on their banned list will not deter me from speaking out against Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine and its barbaric war crimes. The UK will continue to lead the way in its support for Ukraine, both with military equipment and humanitarian aid."