Nicola Sturgeon among senior British politicians banned from Russia
The First Minister said Scotland stands with Ukraine.

Scotlandās First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has condemned Vladimir Putin after she was banned from Russia along with other senior British politicians.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace are also among 13 who have been barred from entering the country in response to UK sanctions.
Ms Sturgeon said Scotland stands with Ukraine and will take the āstrongest possible action to isolate and penaliseā the Russian presidentās regime.
I am clear that I stand with Ukraine and against Putin
Russiaās foreign ministry said the move to create the list was due to the āunprecedented hostile actions of the British Government, expressed, in particular, in the imposition of sanctions against top officialsā.
It added: āThe Russophobic course of action of the British authorities, whose main goal is to stir up negative attitude toward our country, curtailing of bilateral ties in almost all areas, are detrimental to the wellbeing and interests of the residents of Britain.ā
Ms Sturgeon issued a statement in response, saying: āPutin is a war criminal and I will not shy away from condemning him and his regime.
āScotland is determined to take the strongest possible action to isolate and penalise his regime, and do everything possible to support the people of Ukraine.
āWe must make sure that those on the side of freedom and democracy work together to ensure Putinās regime, and his network of oligarchs, are as isolated as possible.
āInternational condemnation ā not just in words but in actions ā against Russia must be as strong as possible.
āIt falls to every leader to choose a side in this unprovoked aggression. I am clear that I stand with Ukraine and against Putin. And Scotland is clear ā we all stand with Ukraine.ā
News of the list came as Russian troops restarted assaults on the Ukrainian capital after a brief reprieve.
A UK Government spokesperson said: āThe UK and our international partners stand united in condemning the Russian governmentās reprehensible actions in Ukraine and calling for the Kremlin to stop the war.
āWe remain resolute in our support for Ukraine.ā