2022-02-28, 12:39 PM
Một đảo quốc bé xíu như Tân Gia Ba, chỉ có chưa tới 6 triệu dân, nhỏ hơn Sài-Gòn còn dám block Putin. Việt Nam thì suốt ngày chỉ biết đu dây và bợ đít.
Singapore imposes sanctions on Russia, blocking certain bank transactions and exports: Vivian
![[Image: file7h498hlphfdttqs7rh.jpg?itok=a_YZZVaE]](https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/styles/680x453/public/image/2022/02/28/file7h498hlphfdttqs7rh.jpg?itok=a_YZZVaE)
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said Singapore intends to impose export controls on items that can be used directly as weapons in Ukraine to inflict harm or subjugate the Ukrainians, and it will also block certain Russian banks and financial transactions connected to Russia.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
SINGAPORE is imposing sanctions on Russia, joining a growing number of countries seeking to slap economic costs on the nuclear superpower for invading Ukraine.
"In particular, we will impose export controls on items that can be used directly as weapons in Ukraine to inflict harm or to subjugate the Ukrainians. We will also block certain Russian banks and financial transactions connected to Russia," Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said in Parliament on Monday (Feb 28).
The specific measures are being worked out and will be announced shortly, he added.
In a ministerial statement on the situation in Ukraine and its implications, Dr Balakrishnan said the Republic has rarely acted to impose sanctions on other countries in the absence of binding United Nations (UN) Security Council decisions or directions.
Russia had vetoed a draft resolution by the UN Security Council that would have deplored Moscow's invasion 2 days after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a "special military operation" on Ukraine on Feb 24.
"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," Dr Balakrishnan told the House.
He added that the measures are expected to come at some cost and implications on Singapore's businesses, citizens and the country as a whole.
"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."
Dr Balakrishnan said Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a clear and gross violation of international norms and a "completely unacceptable precedent".
Noting that the unfolding events point to an "existential issue" for Singapore, Dr Balakrishnan said it goes to the heart of the fundamental norms of international law and the UN Charter that prohibit the use of force and acts of aggression against another sovereign state.
"A world order based on 'might is right', or where 'the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must' - such a world order would be profoundly inimical to the security and survival of small states," he said.
"We cannot accept one country attacking another without justification, arguing that its independence was the result of 'historical errors and crazy decisions'," Dr Balakrishnan said.
He added that the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of all countries big and small must be respected, and Singapore must take any violation of these core principles, whenever and wherever they occur, seriously.
Urging Russia to cease its actions, Dr Balakrishnan also said the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has pledged a contribution of US$100,000 in cooperation with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. The Singapore government will also contribute US$100,000 through SRC.
This will provide essential relief supplies such as hygiene kits, family kits and household kits for the vulnerable who have been displaced by the conflict, he added.
Dr Balakrishnan said the Ukrainian crisis offers several important lessons.
"While international law and diplomatic principles are essential, they are not sufficient," he said, noting that the Budapest Memorandum was supposed to guarantee Ukraine's security by Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Such agreements are only meaningful if the parties respect them and if they can be enforced, and the invasion of Ukraine demonstrates how quickly a vulnerable country can be overrun, he said.
Pointing out that this is an acute reality for all small countries including Singapore, he said Singapore must never lose the ability to defend itself, which is why it has invested consistently to build up a credible and strong Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
Small countries must also avoid becoming sacrificial pawns to be used by one side against the other as it is easy for them to be caught up in the geopolitical games of big powers, the minister said.
"When situations arise, our assessments and our actions are based on clearly enunciated and consistently held principles that are in our own long-term national interests. Instead of choosing sides, we uphold principles," he said.
This is not a new posture but one adopted since the Republic's independence, he said in response to a question from Aljunied GRC MP Gerald Giam from the Workers' Party.
"Even in my tenure over the past 6-7 years, I've had to say 'no' on occasion to every single superpower, but it has not stopped us from being able to sit at the table," he said.
Still, he pointed out that there will be occasions when Singapore will have to take a stand, even if it is contrary to one or more powers, on the basis of principles, as it is doing now, he added.
"We continue to value our good relations with Russia and the Russian people. However, we cannot accept such violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity of another sovereign state," he said.
He added that Singapore will continue to work with Asean and international partners to take a strong stance against the invasion of Ukraine and to end further violence and bloodshed and to de-escalate tensions.
Responding to Aljunied GRC MP Leon Perera's question on whether Singapore will explore the initiation of a common position with the other Asean member states, Dr Balakrishnan said yes, but added: "I will be frank and tell you that the 10 of us will have a variety of views, but I'm glad that we were able to issue a consensus statement that reaffirm mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Asked if there are concerns that the situation in Ukraine may trigger similar territorial incursions elsewhere, Dr Balakrishnan said he will not speculate where other clashes would erupt.
He turned to the fundamental point of deterrence, and for this to work, one must have the capability of self defence as well as an "iron determination to fight and die" to defend the country.
"In the larger point I'm making is that yes, we are standing on principle, and yes, we may even have to pay a price. But this is a price worth paying for the future," he said.
Mountbatten MP Lim Biow Chuan asked if Singapore's relationship with China would be affected, considering China had abstained from voting on the UN Security Council draft resolution.
Stating that he did not wish to speculate on China's position and actions, Dr Balakrishnan said: "I believe China does hold firmly to the principle of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Beyond that, I do not wish to speculate."
On a question from Jalan Besar GRC Denise Phua on whether the government will review ongoing projects with the Russian government or government-linked organisations based in Singapore, Dr Balakrishnan said Singapore has "no quarrel" with Russian people.
"I think you are indirectly alluding to the project that we have on the Russian Orthodox Church building, and I would imagine this is a project, which in my own view, should continue because this goes beyond the politics and the conflict, which is going on right now," he said.
Dr Balakrishnan also gave an update on Singaporeans who were in Ukraine - 7 left the country shortly before the conflict erupted, while 3 left after the Russian invasion started and made their way to Poland.
One of the Singaporeans who crossed into Poland did so with a convoy together with Malaysian citizens, he said, adding that he has thanked his Malaysian counterpart.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in touch with 8 Singaporeans currently in Ukraine, and there is at least 1 other person the ministry is trying to contact.
/* src.: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/governm...ctions-and
Singapore imposes sanctions on Russia, blocking certain bank transactions and exports: Vivian
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said Singapore intends to impose export controls on items that can be used directly as weapons in Ukraine to inflict harm or subjugate the Ukrainians, and it will also block certain Russian banks and financial transactions connected to Russia.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
SINGAPORE is imposing sanctions on Russia, joining a growing number of countries seeking to slap economic costs on the nuclear superpower for invading Ukraine.
"In particular, we will impose export controls on items that can be used directly as weapons in Ukraine to inflict harm or to subjugate the Ukrainians. We will also block certain Russian banks and financial transactions connected to Russia," Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said in Parliament on Monday (Feb 28).
The specific measures are being worked out and will be announced shortly, he added.
In a ministerial statement on the situation in Ukraine and its implications, Dr Balakrishnan said the Republic has rarely acted to impose sanctions on other countries in the absence of binding United Nations (UN) Security Council decisions or directions.
Russia had vetoed a draft resolution by the UN Security Council that would have deplored Moscow's invasion 2 days after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a "special military operation" on Ukraine on Feb 24.
"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," Dr Balakrishnan told the House.
He added that the measures are expected to come at some cost and implications on Singapore's businesses, citizens and the country as a whole.
"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."
Dr Balakrishnan said Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a clear and gross violation of international norms and a "completely unacceptable precedent".
Noting that the unfolding events point to an "existential issue" for Singapore, Dr Balakrishnan said it goes to the heart of the fundamental norms of international law and the UN Charter that prohibit the use of force and acts of aggression against another sovereign state.
"A world order based on 'might is right', or where 'the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must' - such a world order would be profoundly inimical to the security and survival of small states," he said.
"We cannot accept one country attacking another without justification, arguing that its independence was the result of 'historical errors and crazy decisions'," Dr Balakrishnan said.
He added that the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of all countries big and small must be respected, and Singapore must take any violation of these core principles, whenever and wherever they occur, seriously.
Urging Russia to cease its actions, Dr Balakrishnan also said the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has pledged a contribution of US$100,000 in cooperation with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. The Singapore government will also contribute US$100,000 through SRC.
This will provide essential relief supplies such as hygiene kits, family kits and household kits for the vulnerable who have been displaced by the conflict, he added.
Dr Balakrishnan said the Ukrainian crisis offers several important lessons.
"While international law and diplomatic principles are essential, they are not sufficient," he said, noting that the Budapest Memorandum was supposed to guarantee Ukraine's security by Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Such agreements are only meaningful if the parties respect them and if they can be enforced, and the invasion of Ukraine demonstrates how quickly a vulnerable country can be overrun, he said.
Pointing out that this is an acute reality for all small countries including Singapore, he said Singapore must never lose the ability to defend itself, which is why it has invested consistently to build up a credible and strong Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
Small countries must also avoid becoming sacrificial pawns to be used by one side against the other as it is easy for them to be caught up in the geopolitical games of big powers, the minister said.
"When situations arise, our assessments and our actions are based on clearly enunciated and consistently held principles that are in our own long-term national interests. Instead of choosing sides, we uphold principles," he said.
This is not a new posture but one adopted since the Republic's independence, he said in response to a question from Aljunied GRC MP Gerald Giam from the Workers' Party.
"Even in my tenure over the past 6-7 years, I've had to say 'no' on occasion to every single superpower, but it has not stopped us from being able to sit at the table," he said.
Still, he pointed out that there will be occasions when Singapore will have to take a stand, even if it is contrary to one or more powers, on the basis of principles, as it is doing now, he added.
"We continue to value our good relations with Russia and the Russian people. However, we cannot accept such violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity of another sovereign state," he said.
He added that Singapore will continue to work with Asean and international partners to take a strong stance against the invasion of Ukraine and to end further violence and bloodshed and to de-escalate tensions.
Responding to Aljunied GRC MP Leon Perera's question on whether Singapore will explore the initiation of a common position with the other Asean member states, Dr Balakrishnan said yes, but added: "I will be frank and tell you that the 10 of us will have a variety of views, but I'm glad that we were able to issue a consensus statement that reaffirm mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Asked if there are concerns that the situation in Ukraine may trigger similar territorial incursions elsewhere, Dr Balakrishnan said he will not speculate where other clashes would erupt.
He turned to the fundamental point of deterrence, and for this to work, one must have the capability of self defence as well as an "iron determination to fight and die" to defend the country.
"In the larger point I'm making is that yes, we are standing on principle, and yes, we may even have to pay a price. But this is a price worth paying for the future," he said.
Mountbatten MP Lim Biow Chuan asked if Singapore's relationship with China would be affected, considering China had abstained from voting on the UN Security Council draft resolution.
Stating that he did not wish to speculate on China's position and actions, Dr Balakrishnan said: "I believe China does hold firmly to the principle of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Beyond that, I do not wish to speculate."
On a question from Jalan Besar GRC Denise Phua on whether the government will review ongoing projects with the Russian government or government-linked organisations based in Singapore, Dr Balakrishnan said Singapore has "no quarrel" with Russian people.
"I think you are indirectly alluding to the project that we have on the Russian Orthodox Church building, and I would imagine this is a project, which in my own view, should continue because this goes beyond the politics and the conflict, which is going on right now," he said.
Dr Balakrishnan also gave an update on Singaporeans who were in Ukraine - 7 left the country shortly before the conflict erupted, while 3 left after the Russian invasion started and made their way to Poland.
One of the Singaporeans who crossed into Poland did so with a convoy together with Malaysian citizens, he said, adding that he has thanked his Malaysian counterpart.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in touch with 8 Singaporeans currently in Ukraine, and there is at least 1 other person the ministry is trying to contact.
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