Washington DC/Beijing/New Delhi/Kyiv: The situation in Ukraine is complex and changing and the meeting between Ukrainian and Russian delegations that lasted for hours today in Belarus, failed, hence putting a question mark on the possibility of an early ceasefire. Ukrainian officials accused Russians of bombing a residential area in Kharkiv and killing dozens. Russia among other things wanted Ukraine to recognise Russian sovereignty over Crimea, demilitarise and does not join NATO.
The United States today told the UN Human Rights Council at the Council’s 49th regular session that since the opening moments of Russia’s premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified attack on Ukraine, reports of human rights abuses have been widespread.
The U.S. Department of State today suspended operations at its Embassy in Minsk, Belarus and authorized the voluntary departure (“authorized departure”) of non-emergency employees and family members at our Embassy in Moscow, Russia. “We took these steps due to security and safety issues stemming from the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces in Ukraine,” the US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken stated in Washington DC.
India today despatched four ministers, General VK Singh, Hardeep Singh Puri, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kiren Rijiju to countries bordering Ukraine to oversee the evacuation of Indians from Ukraine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke on phone with Nicolae-Ionel Ciucă, Prime Minister of Romania, as well as Eduard Heger, Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic to express his anguish at the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, and reiterated India’s consistent appeal for cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue. Modi also stressed the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations. He thanked both Prime Ministers for the assistance provided by them in the evacuation of Indian citizens from Ukraine over the past few days.
In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters that the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Ukraine were communicating with all parties, closely monitoring the developments, and making all feasible plans to help Chinese citizens in Ukraine leave the country on a voluntary basis and in a safe manner.
“Given the extremely unstable security situation of both the air and land transportation in Ukraine, we solemnly remind Chinese citizens there to closely follow the local situation, remain calm and take all necessary safety precautions to prevent the occurrence of accidents,” Wenbin said. He added, “China is closely following the development of the Ukraine situation and supports all efforts that are conducive to easing the situation and seeking a political settlement. China noted the relevant parties’ statements on the nuclear issue. I want to stress once again that, when it comes to European security, all countries’ legitimate security concerns should be valued. When NATO has made five waves of eastward expansion, Russia’s legitimate demands should be valued and properly resolved. Relevant parties should exercise restraint and avoid further escalation of the situation.
In coordination with its allies and partners, the United States is taking further measures today against the Russian financial system in response to Russia’s continuing premeditated war against Ukraine. “Unwavering in our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, we will continue to act with our allies and partners in imposing costs on Russia if it continues its war of choice,” Blinken said.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) prohibited any U.S. person from conducting any transaction involving the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, the National Wealth Fund of the Russian Federation, or the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation. In addition, OFAC imposed blocking sanctions on the Russian Direct Investment Fund, a known slush fund for President Putin and his inner circle, two of its subsidiaries, and CEO Kirill Dmitriev.
“We took today’s actions to impair Russia’s ability to use its international reserves in ways that undermine the impact of our sanctions, as well as to prevent Russia from accessing its wealth fund for use in its ongoing war against Ukraine,” Blinken stated. He further asserted that the United States will continue to coordinate closely with its partners and allies to impose severe consequences on Russia for its war against Ukraine. “We share with our partners and allies unity of purpose, resolve, and determination to hold Russia to account for its aggression, particularly those responsible for this war of choice,” Blinken said.
Today the United States joined the UN Human Rights Council at the Council’s 49th regular session. Blinken said the U.S. return to that body “reflects the centrality of human rights to our nation’s foreign policy”. He said that the timing of this session could not be more appropriate. “Let there be no confusion: Russia attacked Ukraine because Ukraine dared to pursue a democratic path. Russia’s invasion has damaged and destroyed schools, hospitals, radio stations, and homes, killing and injuring civilians, including children,” he said.
On March 1, 2022, Blinken will deliver remarks to the assembled Council and will use that opportunity to spell out clearly the threat posed by Russia, while noting that Ukraine is far from the only part of the world where the Council’s attention is needed.
“Events in Ukraine only underscore the crucial importance of a credible human rights body dedicated to promoting the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and documenting human rights violations and abuses,” he said.
Responding to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s order to his nuclear forces to be put on high alert, China said it was closely following the development of the Ukraine situation and supports all efforts that are conducive to easing the situation and seeking a political settlement. “China noted the relevant parties’ statements on the nuclear issue. I want to stress once again that, when it comes to European security, all countries’ legitimate security concerns should be valued. When NATO has made five waves of eastward expansion, Russia’s legitimate demands should be valued and properly resolved. Relevant parties should exercise restraint and avoid further escalation of the situation.”
Beijing also said that both China and Russia will continue to conduct normal trade cooperation in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.
– global bihari bureau
