Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has terminated its gas supply contract with a Russian company as it takes a stand against the country's war on Ukraine.
The fire service has confirmed that it will no longer be working with Russian national energy provider Gazprom for the Tyne and Wear PFI Estate.
The service also stressed that it has no plans to work with the supplier again in the future following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
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Chris Lowther, Chief Fire Officer for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), said: "Today I can confirm that as of April 1, 2022, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and multi-technical services supplier EQUANS will be ending our gas supply contract with Russian national energy provider Gazprom for the Tyne and Wear PFI Estate.
"We will be sourcing the gas provision from an alternative supplier in moving forward, and Gazprom won’t be invited to tender for any future available contracts.”
The announcement comes more than a week since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a devastating attack on Ukraine on February 24.
President Putin has warned Ukraine that it must quickly accept the Kremlin’s demand for its “demilitarisation” and declare itself neutral, renouncing its bid to join Nato.
Peace talks between the two sides have so far failed to end the hostilities and Western allies have responded to the ongoing violence with increased sanctions.
UN refugee agency figures show more than a million people have fled the country, a figure which could rise to four million as the war rages on.
Liz Truss joined fellow foreign ministers from Nato and the European Union for a series of meetings in Brussels on Friday as the allies show their support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Home Secretary Priti Patel is visiting Poland’s border with Ukraine to highlight the visas on offer to those fleeing the conflict who have relations in Britain.
