Ukrainian World Congress calls upon G20 Trade Ministers to call for targeted sector-specific sanctions against Russia

Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij sent an open letter to G20 Trade Ministers meeting in Sydney, Australia on 19 July 2014 urging them to:

 

a)  condemn the ongoing military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine as a violation of international law and fundamental human rights; and

 

b) call for targeted sector-specific sanctions (third level sanctions) against Russia in response to its illegal annexation of Crimea and unabated destabilization of Eastern Ukraine.

 

Despite condemning evidence in support of the fact that the pro-Russian terrorists fronting the conflict in Eastern Ukraine are materially and financially backed by the Russian Federation, various government and private entities continue to fuel the Russian economy with lucrative deals and high-profile relationships.

 

For instance, several European countries are moving the South Stream gas pipeline project forward with Russia despite the fact that in its Resolution of 17 April 2014 on Russian pressure on Eastern Partnership countries and in particular destabilisation of eastern Ukraine, the European Parliament took “the view that the South Stream pipeline should not be built”.

 

France continues to proceed with its sale of two Mistral-class assault ships to Russia’s navy that will only embolden Russia’s imperialistic ambitions and escalate conflicts at a time when the international community is calling on Russia to de-escalate its aggression against Ukraine.

 

On 17 July 2014, the world witnessed the consequences of tolerating actions that contravene international law with the tragic downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 on Ukrainian territory. Such tragedies risk being repeated if the international community continues to favour financial interests over fundamental rights and freedoms as enshrined in the UN Charter.

 

“The Ukrainian World Congress urges the G20 Trade Ministers to call for immediate targeted sector‑specific sanctions against Russia,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij. “Russia needs to actually notice that its brazen disregard of international law has a significant negative impact on its economy to change course.”