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Poland proposes formation of international commission to probe events in Ukraine’s Bucha

Poland

Amid the ongoing brutal war between Russia and Ukraine, Poland has proposed to create a special international commission to investigate the events in Ukraine’s Bucha. In a series of tweets, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki accused Russia of committing genocide in several Ukrainian cities. “Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel and Motyzhyn are the places we will remember. The Russians committed the crime of genocide. It must be properly documented and judged. Therefore, I am calling to establish an international commission composed of specialists,” Morawiecki stated in one of the Twitter posts. 

The Polish Prime Minister also called on European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) leaders to act decisively and implement actions to break Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war machine, confiscate the assets of the Russian Federation and the oligarchs deposited in the banks of Europe, and to break Russia’s aggressive policy. Motyzhyn also claimed that stopping Putin’s war machine depends on sanctions. “Today we are witnessing the creation of a genocide map of the 21st century, and the conclusion is that Russia is already a totalitarian, fascist state, which we must stop together within NATO and the EU,” he added in another tweet. 

 

Poland’s PM slams Germany for not imposing tougher sanctions on Russia

Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki also blamed Germany for failing to impose tougher sanctions on Russia for its unjustified invasion of Ukraine. He also hailed Hungary for being supportive of new measures despite Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s friendly attitude towards Russia. “It’s Germany that is the main roadblock on sanctions,” Morawiecki added, as per The Kyiv Independent. Notably, several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia and the European Union, have imposed numerous sanctions on Russia. 

Poland’s PM vows to stop importing Russian oil by the end of 2022

Last week, Poland’s PM Morawiecki announced that his country will take steps to stop importing Russian oil by the end of 2022. Addressing a press conference, he claimed that Poland was launching the most ambitious plan among European states to disentangle itself from Russian energy sources. He also stated that Poland’s reliance on Russian oil has decreased significantly. According to Morawiecki, Russian President Putin used gas and oil as a “tool of blackmail.” Poland’s Prime Minister further claimed that money from oil and gas exports is funding Russia’s war activities, which need to be stopped, The Associated Press (AP) reported. 

Image: AP

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Ohio State offers resources and events amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Ohio State offers resources and events amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Tensions between Russia and other nations have been growing for decades, following the collapse of the Soviet Union and expansion of North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Credit: Maxim Guchek/BelTA/TASS/ABACAPRESS.COM via TNS

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, Ohio State has a number of resources to help those impacted, and will host events with information about the war.

Christopher Gelpi, director and chair of peace studies and conflict resolution at the Mershon Center, said learning about the war is an important part of being a good citizen, because everyone has a responsibility to understand how governments, both in the U.S. and overseas, react in times of struggle.

“I see our role in a crisis like this is to bring people together and share the knowledge that our faculty fellows have in a way that is accessible to as wide an audience as possible,” Gelpi said.

An estimated 42,908 people of Ukrainian descent live in Ohio, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey.

Ohio State’s “Education for Citizenship” motto emphasizes the university’s commitment to informing citizens, according to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website. The Office of International Affairs has a list of resources to inform students about the university’s events covering the crisis in Ukraine.

University spokesperson Chris Booker said in an email the Office of International Affairs offers support resources, including counseling and personal well-being services, immigration assistance for international students and information about cyber security.

“Ohio State developed this list of academic and support resources to assist those impacted by the conflict in Ukraine and foster discussion and education across campus,” Booker said.

The Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies has compiled various academic resources, including books, articles, events and films, that help to better understand the crisis in Ukraine, according to the center’s website. The office will also hold a virtual roundtable Wednesday from 11 a.m. to noon, featuring Polish experts sharing their perspective on the war.

WOSU Public Media and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs will hold an event Thursday at noon called “Dialogue Special Edition: The Russia/Ukraine Crisis,” featuring a variety of speakers and discussions on the possible routes to peace in Europe.

The Mershon Center will host a virtual event March 24 from 3:30-5 p.m., featuring a discussion from Timothy Frye, a professor of post-Soviet foreign policy at Columbia University, about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s role in Russian and international politics, according to the Mershon Center website. Another virtual event hosting 11 speakers who will speak on U.S. and NATO relations with Russia will be held April 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Russia out of skating events as sporting sanctions bite

Russia out of skating events as sporting sanctions bite

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Russia was excluded from all international ice skating events as sporting sanctions continued to mount Tuesday following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

A day after Russian teams were barred from soccer, rugby and President Vladimir Putin’s preferred sport of hockey — rulings backed by the International Olympic Committee — the International Skating Union decision pushes Russia out of another sport which is hugely popular at home.

The ISU said no athletes from Russia or its ally Belarus “shall be invited or allowed to participate” in its events until further notice.

“The ISU Council reiterates its solidarity with all those affected by the conflict in Ukraine and our thoughts are with the entire Ukrainian people and country,” the ISU said in a statement.

Barring Russian skaters means the figure skating world championships later this month are expected to take place without Olympic gold medalist Anna Shcherbakova and her teammate Kamila Valieva, who was the focus of a still-unresolved doping dispute at the Winter Olympics last month.

The International Volleyball Federation on Tuesday said it had stripped Russia of hosting rights for the men’s world championship in August and September and would seek another host country or countries.

“It would be impossible to prepare and stage the World Championships in Russia due to the war in Ukraine,” the FIVB board said.

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More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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EU to impose unprecedented sanctions on Russia as leaders meet

EU to impose unprecedented sanctions on Russia as leaders meet

The European Union has vowed to unleash unprecedented sanctions against Russia as leaders head for Brussels for an emergency summit in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

The prospect of cutting Russia off from the international banking system is on the table as well as blocking its supply of crucial electrical components in a bid to force Moscow to change course.

A group of EU member states that border Russia have called for Nato to convene to consider a collective response, warning that Russia’s actions are a threat to them.

Some EU national leaders had wavered about imposing such sanctions for fear of the price that EU economies would also pay, and concerns over the continent’s reliance on imports of Russian gas at a time when costs are already high and supplies short.

But the strikes on targets in across the country including Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and advance of Russian troops over the borders is said to have hardened EU resolve and forged unity among the 27 as their ambassadors convened in Brussels to prepare a response early on Thursday.

“These are among the darkest hours for Europe since the end of World War Two. A major nuclear power has attacked a neighbour country, and is threatening reprisals on any other states that may come to its rescue,” the EU’s foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell Fontelles said in a hastily-convened address.

“This is not only the greatest violation of international law, it’s a violation of the basic principles of human coexistence. It’s costing many lives, with unknown consequences ahead of us.

He vowed that the EU would “respond in the strongest possible terms” with “the strongest package, the harshest package of sanctions we have ever implemented”, and that Russia’s leadership would face “unprecedented isolation”.

“This is not a question of diplomatic power games, it’s a matter of life and death. It’s about the future of our global community and we will stand united,” he continued.

Beyond sanctions, some EU member states that are members of Nato have called talks to consider a military response.

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, which all border Russia, were once ruled by Moscow and fall within the area to which Russian President Vladimir Putin has said his country has a historical claim.

All agreed to hold talks under Nato’s Article 4 on Thursday, according to a statement from the Estonian government. Article 4 provides for joint Nato consultations and potentially a response if any of its members feel “the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened”. It has been used six times since 1949.

“Russia’s widespread aggression is a threat to the entire world and to all Nat0 countries,” Estonia’s prime minister Kaja Kallas said in a statement.

‘Bloodshed and destruction’

Boris Johnson has promised to respond decisively to what he described as Vladimir Putin’s choice of “a path of bloodshed and destruction” in Ukraine. Mr Johnson, who was woken up shortly after 4am with news of the Russian invasion, chaired an emergency Cobra meeting in Downing Street at 7.30am.

“I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskiy to discuss next steps. President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The UK and our allies will respond decisively,” he said.

The British prime minister, who faced criticism for the weakness of sanctions he announced earlier this week, will unveil tougher measures later on Thursday. Labour leader Keir Starmer said Britain and Nato must respond decisively to Mr Putin’s actions, which he said would have “horrendous and tragic” consequences.

“There can be no space for equivocation when faced with the evil that Putin has unleashed. His actions pose a grave threat to the international order on which we all depend. There will be dark days ahead. But Putin will learn the same lesson as Europe’s tyrants of the last century: that the resolve of the world is harder than he imagines and the desire for liberty burns stronger than ever. The light will prevail,” he said.

“We must now match our rhetoric with action. We must urgently reinforce our Nato allies. The hardest possible sanctions must be taken against all those linked to Putin. The influence of Russian money must be extricated from the UK. And those who have for too long turned a blind eye to Russia’s actions must reckon with their own consciences.”

Tom Tugendhat, the Conservative chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee, said that Britain and its allies should not be squeamish about imposing sanctions on Russia that will come at an economic cost to themselves. He said the cost of living crisis in western countries would get worse if Mr Putin is allowed to go unpunished for his action in Ukraine.

“The decisions made around Europe are absolutely going to shape the way Vladimir Putin sees this,” he told the BBC.

“The reality is that if we leave this to stand, if we let this pass, you can forget about petrol at £1.70 a litre, which is where it’s heading now. It will be significantly higher. 10 per cent of the world’s wheat is grown in Ukraine and the idea that this year’s going to be a good crop, I’m afraid, is for the birds. This is absolutely one of those moments where we’re going to see the cost-of-living crisis driven by war.”

France firmly condemns the Russian decision to invade Ukraine,” President Emmanuel Macron tweeted. “Russia must put an end to its military operations immediately. France stands in solidarity with Ukraine. She is beside the Ukrainians and acts with her partners and allies for the war to end.”

Mr Macron will participate in a G7 videoconference on Thursday afternoon and then go to Brussels for the summit of EU leaders to decide on “massive” sanctions against Moscow. The ambassadors of all 30 Nato members are to hold an emergency meeting in Brussels this morning.

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Initial Global Sanctions on Russia in Response to Events in Eastern Ukraine | JD Supra

Initial Global Sanctions on Russia in Response to Events in Eastern Ukraine | JD Supra

Initial Global Sanctions on Russia in Response to Events in Eastern Ukraine

In response to President Putin’s televised recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (“DNR” and “LNR”) of Ukraine as “independent” nations, and reports of Russian troops being ordered into Ukrainian territory, the United States has imposed Crimea-style comprehensive sanctions on the DNR and LNR prohibiting new U.S. investment as well as imports and exports to and from the regions. The EU and the UK have sanctioned banks and oligarchs, and Germany has suspended certifications on the NordStream2 pipeline project.

Background

The Donbas region of Eastern Ukraine has been divided since 2014 into separate territories, respectively controlled by the Ukrainian government and Russian-backed separatists. According to the Ukrainian government, armed conflict in the region has claimed over 14,000 lives and displaced more than 1.5 million people. The Minsk Agreements, negotiated by France and Germany in 2015 and signed by Russia and Ukraine, implemented a ceasefire but failed to entirely control the violence.  As of February 2022, there have been increasing tensions on the Ukraine-Russia border and the movement of Russian military troops into the region.

U.S. Executive Order

On February 21, 2022, President Biden issued an “Executive Order on Blocking Property of Certain Persons and Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Respect to Continued Russian Efforts to Undermine the Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity of Ukraine”  Specifically, the EO imposes broad sanctions on the DNR and LNR similar to sanctions for the Crimea territory.  It prohibits the following:

  • New investment in the so-called DNR or LNR regions of Ukraine by a United States person, wherever located;
  • The importation into the United States, directly or indirectly, of any goods, services, or technology from the so-called DNR or LNR regions of Ukraine;
  • The exportation, reexportation, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States, or by a United States person, wherever located, of any goods, services, or technology to the so-called DNR or LNR regions of Ukraine;
  • And any approval, financing, facilitation, or guarantee by a United States person, wherever located, of a transaction by a foreign person where the transaction by that foreign person would be covered by these prohibitions if performed by a United States person or within the United States.

The EO also provides authority to impose sanctions on persons determined:

  • To operate or have operated since the date of the order in the so-called DNR or LNR regions of Ukraine;
  • To be or have been since the date of the order a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of an entity operating in the so-called DNR or LNR regions of Ukraine;
  • To be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order;
  • Or to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order.

The Department of Treasury also has issued six General Licenses, including authorization for a “wind down” until March 23, 2022 of operations, contracts and other agreements in effect prior to February 21, 2022.  General licenses also provide for certain (a) exports to the regions of food, medicine and medical devices, (b) telecommunications and internet services to remain operational, and mail services to continue, (c) exports of services and software incident to personal communication over the internet, (d) aid activities by international organizations, and (d) foreign remittances.

A Coordinated Response with Europe

The U.S. Government has been coordinating pressure on the Russian regime with its international partners, including the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada.

On February 22, 2022 the UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (“OFSI”) issued a Financial Sanctions Notice and updated the OFSI consolidated list, designating eight new persons as subject to Russia Sanctions made under the UK Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018. Those designated include five Russian banks and three prominent oligarchs, namely:

  • Gennadiy Nikolayevich Timchenko;
  • Boris Romanovich Rotenberg;
  • Igor Arkadyevich Rotenberg;
  • Bank Rossiya;
  • Black Sea Bank for Development And Reconstruction;
  • Joint Stock Company Genbank;
  • IS Bank; and
  • Public Joint Stock Company Promsvyazbank.

With the exception of the Public Joint Stock Company Promsvyazbank, the above individuals and entities above already were blocked under U.S. law, and are now subject to an asset freeze (and the individuals subject to a travel ban in the UK).

On February 21, 2022, the European Council imposed restrictive measures on an additional 5 individuals for actively supporting actions and implementing policies that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.  Those designated include members of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, who were elected to represent the illegally-annexed Crimean peninsula and the City of Sevastopol on September 19, 2021, as well as the head and deputy head of the Sevastopol electoral commission, namely: Aleksei Yurievich Cherniak, Leonid Ivanovic Babashov, Tatiana Georgievna Lobach, Nina Sergeevna Faustova and Aleksandr Evgenevich Chmyhalov. It is reported that the EU is “close to agreeing” on further sanctions targeting Russian banks and individuals.

Germany also has announced that it will halt certifications for the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea gas pipeline project, designed to double the flow of Russian gas direct to Germany.

The conflict on the Ukrainian border is rapidly evolving, and it is possible that further sanctions will be issued in the coming days. Per White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, the February 21, 2022 Executive Order is “separate from and … in addition to the swift and severe economic measures we have been preparing in coordination with Allies and partners should Russia further invade Ukraine.” This is echoed by comments from the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has referred to the above UK sanctions as the “first tranche, the first barrage of what we are prepared to do, and we hold further sanctions at readiness to be deployed alongside the US and EU if the situation escalates still further.”

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