US rule out meeting with Russians as Johnson criticised over 'tepid' sanctions

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [View online]( February 23, 2022 [Morning Headlines]( 1 / [US rule out meeting with Russians as Johnson criticised over 'tepid' sanctions]( US president Joe Biden said last night that Vladimir Putin was preparing to advance further into Ukraine as the US ruled out future meetings with their Russian counterparts. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has cancelled his Thursday meeting with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and Mr Biden poured cold water on the idea of a summit with Putin. The US response comes after Boris Johnson unveiled an initial package of sanctions against Russia, which include asset freezes and travel bans on three oligarchs and a ban on five banks. Critics called Mr Johnson's sanctions "tepid" and MPs across the house called on the prime minister to go further yesterday. Russia warned that western sanctions will also affect the well-being of ordinary Americans, with the country's ambassador to the US saying: "There is no doubt the sanctions imposed against us will hurt the global financial and energy markets." 2 / [Partygate: Questions asked to Boris Johnson by police revealed in leak]( Questionnaires about the party were given to No 10 staff by the police 3 / ['Soul destroying': How flooded Ironbridge found itself on front line of the climate crisis]( Dispatch: 'This flooding, it's no longer a one off. It's the new normal,' council leader says 4 / [Sasha Johnson: Attempted murder case collapses after shooting of BLM activist]( Forecasters have warned the latest storm could hamper the clean-up following Storm Eunice 5 / [Oscars to slash eight categories from streamlined live awards night in a bid to claw back viewers]( Many have voiced their dissent on social media over the move The Big Question What is Boris Johnson’s ‘Living with Covid’ strategy? The prime minister unveiled his latest pandemic plan during a speech in the House of Commons on Monday, which saw the legal requirement for people who test positive with Covid-19 to self-isolate being dropped from Thursday and also included details on the scrapping of free coronavirus tests for most people from April. Under the new rules, citizens will still be advised to quarantine if they test positive but there will be no legal requirement to do so and there will be no duty for those who test positive to inform their employer of their need to isolate. Here’s what else Boris Johnson had to say in as part of a strategy that was swiftly criticised by the opposition and the medical establishment as too hasty following the Omicron spike over the New Year. [Read the full story >]( Watch / [Ukraine crisis: Tanks and military vehicles near Donetsk after Putin orders troops to region]( NUMBER OF THE DAY 200,000 Boris Johnson said there were nearly 200,000 Russian troops gathered on the border to Ukraine "at peak readiness to attack", as he [imposed sanctions]( on banks and plutocrats. QUOTE OF THE DAY "People contrast that with Germany for instance where I am told they are much more disciplined about not going into work if you are sick and I’m suggesting that is something we could learn." – Boris Johnson has sparked anger from unions and fuelled calls for improved sick pay rates after [telling Britons]( to “learn” from “disciplined” Germans by remaining off work when ill. Other stories you might like [Ukraine: What is the story behind the crisis with Russia? Sign up for a free ticket to tonight's event]( [White house slams Trump for calling Putin's invasion into parts of Ukraine a 'genius' move]( [Life really does flash before your eyes at point of death, landmark study suggests]( Articles available exclusively to subscribers John Rentoul, The Independent: [The Commons united against Putin’s imperialism, but it all sounded rather hollow]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.