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By ALEX WICKHAM
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Good Wednesday morning.
SANCTIONS SCOOP
RATCHETING UP: The U.K. is finalizing a stronger sanctions package to impose on Russia in the coming days following President Vladimir Putin’s renewed invasion of Ukraine, three government sources with direct knowledge of the plans told Playbook. A senior government source said the harsher measures were “inevitable” as there is no realistic prospect of Putin retreating, adding: “It’s coming.” The development comes after Western leaders announced a “first tranche” of limited sanctions on Russian banks and individuals on Tuesday, before coming under criticism from some quarters for not hitting the Kremlin and its acolytes with the most severe package available as soon as its tanks rolled across the Ukrainian border. After signs of further escalation of the crisis on the ground in Ukraine, it is…
