TalkTV interrupted for urgent 'breaking news' as Keir Starmer dealt biggest blow yet

TalkTV was halted for a "breaking news" announcement in what could be the biggest blow yet to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Presenter Philip Ingram shared that Russia has launched counter sanctions against the UK. "Tit for tat. Here we go," the host declared. "Now Moscow retaliated in kind."

The sanctions were imposed in retaliation against 21 individuals, including representatives from British media, NGOs, consulting firms, and the expert community. Ingram added: "I wonder who's on that media list. I've avoided it so far." On the list are both British citizens and "third-country nationals cooperating with destructive British media and consulting structures", all of whom are now banned from entering Russia.

"These individuals are engaged in spreading disinformation about Russia, making unfounded accusations in the context of the Special Military Operation, as well as carrying out hostile activities aimed at tightening the West's anti-Russian policy and promoting support for the Kyiv regime," the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

It comes after Britain imposed sanctions on financial networks it accused of helping Russia evade existing Western sanctions - including cryptocurrency networks in Kyrgyzstan - as part of its intensified pressure on Moscow over the war in Ukraine.

British sanctions minister Stephen Doughty said: "If the Kremlin thinks they can hide their desperate attempts to soften the blow of our sanctions by laundering transactions through dodgy crypto networks - they are sorely mistaken."

Earlier this week, talks were held between U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders including Keir Starmer over the Ukraine conflict.

It was confirmed European leaders are likely to impose sanctions on Russia if Vladimir Putin refuses to participate in a meeting with Trump and Zelensky.

A senior Government source said: "If Putin was to delay, prevaricate, or refuse to talk that would provide another impetus for sanctions."

This came as Trump stated that the US could provide air support to Ukraine if a peace deal is reached.

"We're willing to help them with things, especially, probably talk about by air, because there's nobody [who has the] kind of stuff we have," the US president said during an appearance on the American chat show, Fox & Friends.