Singapore condemns Russia's attack on Ukraine, announces sanctions

By Massita Ahmad

SINGAPORE, Feb 28  -- Singapore has strongly condemned Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine and will impose export controls on items that can be used directly as weapons in Ukraine to inflict harm or to subjugate the Ukrainians.

Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said Singapore will also block certain Russian banks and financial transactions connected to Russia.

“Specific measures are being worked out and will be announced shortly,” he said in his Ministerial Statement on the situation in Ukraine and its implications delivered at Parliament today.

Balakrishnan said Singapore must expect that its measures will come at some cost and implications on its businesses, citizens, and indeed, to the republic.

“However, unless we as a country stand up for principles that are the very foundation for the independence and sovereignty of smaller nations, our own right to exist and prosper as a nation may similarly be called into question one day,” he said.

Balakrishnan noted that Singapore has always complied fully with sanctions and decisions of the UN Security Council, but “we have rarely acted to impose sanctions on other countries in the absence of binding Security Council decisions or directions”.

“However, given the unprecedented gravity of the Russian attack on Ukraine, and the unsurprising veto by Russia of a draft Security Council resolution, Singapore intends to act in concert with many other like-minded countries to impose appropriate sanctions and restrictions against Russia,” he said.

-- BERNAMA