Brussels. After the invasion of Russia, a plan has been made to give 20 million dollars to Ukraine in the United Nations Humanitarian Fund and 1.5 billion euros to the EU Economic Assistance Fund. Apart from this, Japan, Australia, Taiwan and other countries have announced new and tougher sanctions on Russia. At the same time, he has also condemned the action of Russia.
The European Union is close to agreeing a decision to freeze the assets of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. But it is not clear how badly they would be affected by such a move. Or else it will only be symbolic. The decision to freeze Putin and Lavrov’s assets indicates Western countries are moving to unprecedented measures to prevent Putin from launching an attack on Russia’s neighboring Ukraine and a major war in Europe.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Barbock said, “We are not only listing those in power, we have already listed several lawmakers preparing these steps. But now we are also listing the President, Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov.” Implementing such a measure would require a thorough unanimity of 27 member states at a meeting of EU foreign ministers late Friday.
In fact, Russia had invaded Ukraine on Thursday, on which the series of strong reactions from the leaders of different countries is still going on. Many countries have spoken of teaching a lesson to various leaders, including Russia’s economy and those close to President Vladimir Putin.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that France and its European allies have decided to “make a very serious attack on Moscow”. This includes imposing fines on the finance, energy and other sectors, besides imposing further sanctions on the Russian people. The legal documents related to imposing sanctions will be finalized and sent to EU foreign ministers for approval on Friday itself.
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Macron also said that the EU has decided to provide “unprecedented” 1.5 billion euros in aid to Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Russian Civil Aviation Authority banned UK flights to and from Russia. Earlier, Britain had banned the flights of the Russian flight company Aeroflot. Earlier, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters on Friday, “Japan wants to make its position clear that we will not tolerate any attempt to forcefully change the situation.”
Kishida also announced new punitive measures, including freezing the visas and assets of Russian conglomerates, banks and individuals. Apart from this, he also announced a ban on sending semiconductors and other items to organizations affiliated with the Russian military. Kishida said, “Russian invasion of Ukraine is a very serious development, which will have an impact on the international order. This will affect not only Europe but also Asia.”
Countries in Asia and the Pacific have supported the US and the European Union, a 27-nation body, to take new punitive measures against Russian banks and leading companies. New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, “Russia’s decision could cost countless innocent lives.”
He announced the imposition of various restrictions, including a travel ban on Russian officials. Officials at the United Nations have announced $20 million to boost humanitarian operations in Ukraine. On the other hand, the United Nations Security Council is expected to meet on Friday, in which a resolution of condemnation can be passed against Russia and demands that it immediately withdraw its forces. However, Russia can veto the proposal.
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UN Humanitarian Affairs Chief Martin Griffith said $20 million to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund would help with emergency operations in Ukraine’s eastern part of Donetsk and Luhansk and other parts. Under this, arrangements for health care, shelter, food, water etc. will be made for the most vulnerable people affected by the crisis. However, Western countries and their allies have not spoken about sending troops to Ukraine and the threat of a wider war on the European continent. However, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has once again instructed its member countries in Eastern Europe to be alert amid the possibility of an attack.
Like Japan, another strong ally of America, South Korea is being more cautious. South Korean President Moon Jae-in said his country would support international sanctions but would not consider unilateral sanctions. South Korea has taken a cautious approach because its economy is largely dependent on international trade. It also worries that straining relations with Russia will undermine North Korea’s efforts to resolve its nuclear crisis.
Russia is considered the 10th largest trading partner of South Korea. On the other hand, Taiwan announced on Friday that it is supportive of imposing economic sanctions against Russia. However, it did not specify what the restrictions would be. While most countries of Asia have supported Ukraine, on the other hand China has condemned the sanctions on Russia. China has accused the US and its allies of provoking Russia.
Concerned about America’s power in Asia, China’s foreign policy tends to lean towards Russia to challenge the West. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, “At a time when Australia, Britain, America, Europe and Japan are trying to stop Russia together, the Chinese government is asking Russia to relax trade restrictions. This is completely unacceptable.”
“You can’t talk about giving life to Russia at a time when it’s attacking another country,” Morrison said, referring to a report in ‘The South China Morning Post’. The South China Morning Post reported that China has announced that it is fully prepared to import Russian wheat. (agency)