Emergency Question: The Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 1:44 pm on 1 March 2022.

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Photo of Mark Drakeford Mark Drakeford Labour 1:44, 1 March 2022

Llywydd, can I say how proud I was to see what the Welsh football association, the FAW, had decided to do earlier this week, without cover from FIFA in doing so? A brave act by a small federation, but one which I think was entirely in line with the sentiments—[Applause.]—entirely in line with the sentiments expressed by Mike there. I congratulate him and Rebecca Evans on being part of that event in Swansea. It was a privilege to be here on the steps of the Senedd last night with other colleagues at another vigil to mark our reaction to events in Ukraine.

Actions are not yet exhausted, as Mike Hedges suggested. There are further measures that can and should be taken to bring it home to those people who are in charge of these decisions in Russia. It's very important, Llywydd, isn't it, that we continue to make a distinction between the actions of President Putin and those who surround him and the interests of ordinary people living in Russia. But, we still have to be prepared to take action to bring home to them that there are consequences from what has taken place, and consequences in the sporting field often make their way into the consciousness of people where other sanctions may not seem to have such a direct impact. So, I associate myself with what Mike Hedges has said in his contribution this afternoon.