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The leader of Leicestershire County Councils says he wants to cut financial links with Russia so that the council can “play our part, however small”, in bringing pressure on Vladimir Putin’s regime.

Council Nick Rushton has asked officers to review its contracts and pension fund investments to see what changes can be made.

So far the review has shown that that around £10 million of its pension pot – 0.15 per cent of the total fund – is invested with Russian companies.

Coun Rushton's call follows the international sanctions being imposed on Russia for the invasion of Ukraine and shelling of cities and civilian areas.

Russian forces have continued their bombardment of Ukraine’s towns and cities despite the announcement of limited local ceasefires. Previous attempts to create humanitarian corridors have ended with civilians being shelled as they tried to flee to safety.

Coun Rushton said: “Western governments are tightening the economic stranglehold on Putin’s regime with sanctions and we want to do our part to force him to end the appalling violence and destruction he has unleashed on Ukraine.

“That’s why I asked for all county council contracts to be reviewed, our pension investments examined, and our purchasing looked at so we can extract ourselves from the Russian economy and play our part, however small, in bringing further pressure to bear on the Russia’s government.

“I’m pleased the council’s connections to Russia are very small indeed.