November 20, 2024 Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

“In 2022, russia thought its full-scale invasion would end in days. 1,000 days later, Ukraine bravely resists. On the battlefield. And against criminal attacks on civilian targets”, said President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

“Ukrainians fight for freedom, for Europe’s security and for world peace. Our support for Ukraine is an investment into the future of humankind”, said Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen on the occasion of 1,000 days of the Ukrainian people’s resistance to the invasion of the russian aggressor.

“Lithuania has stood with Ukraine through it all—before the invasion, during the darkest days, and now in the grueling fight for freedom. Ukraine can always count on us”, said Minister of Defence of Lithuania Laurynas Kasčiūnas.

“Europe's support for Ukraine is unwavering. We will continue to help Ukraine”, said former Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas.

“We will stand with you until you regain peace”, – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the FRG Annalena Baerbock has stated that these 1,000 days of resistance have been a time of great grief for Ukraine, but they have also shown the courage and unity of Ukrainians.

“With our values and our collective security at stake, we have to make sure that Ukraine wins, and that is number one on the agenda today”, said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Patrick Turner, NATO's Senior Representative to Ukraine, has pointed out that the 1,000-day mark is a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience shown by Ukrainians and that this resistance inspires the world.

Ukraine and the International Monetary Fund have reached staff level agreement on the Sixth Review of the 4-year Extended Fund Facility, which will allow our country to receive another tranche of USD 1.1 billion.

“We will announce additional security assistance for Ukraine in the coming days”, said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Ambassador of the European Union to the United Nations Stavros Lambrinidis has said that the international community should continue to support Ukraine in its right to self-defense, as it is enshrined in the UN Charter.

The United Kingdom has trained more than 50,000 Ukrainian military servicemen during the Interflex training mission.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis believes that the European Union's strategy for Ukraine in the context of the war with russia needs to be revised.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Radosław Sikorski says that the largest EU countries are ready to provide Ukraine with financial and military assistance in case of a reduction in US support. Sikorski expressed outrage over Hungary's blocking of the payment of funds from the European Peace Fund, from which EU states receive compensation for weapons transferred to Ukraine. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland also promised to close all the rf’s consulates in his country if russia does not stop its sabotage.

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The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions against the russian children's and youth movement “yunarmiya” and chief of its main headquarters nagornyi, the “avangard” youth education center, as well as eight individuals “responsible for the forced deportation of Ukrainian children”. The sanctions have also been imposed on head of the center for military and sports training and patriotic education of youth “voin” (“warrior”- Transl.) kazarezov and head of the center's branch sabinov, director of the branch of the society “znanie” (“knowledge”- Transl.) in the temporarily occupied Kherson region ivanov, the so-called minister of education, science and youth of the temporarily occupied Crimea lavrik, the so-called minister of education and science of the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhya region shapurova.

As of October 2024, the average interest rate on loans in russia rose to 28.4% per annum, and the total cost of cash loans reached a historic high, having exceeded 30.2% of annual payments. According to market experts, next year's consumer loan disbursements will be the lowest in the last 4-5 years.

The russian national soccer team will not be allowed to participate in the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament.

The rf's tourism industry is in decline due to a shortage of personnel and lack of investment, and 70% of the industry's professionals do not have basic vocational education.

At the Lithuanian border crossing points Medininkai and Šalčininkai, the clearance of thousands of trucks from the rb for entry and exit has been suspended.

On November 18, the dollar hit a historic high at therb’s currency and stock exchange, having risen to 3.3897 rubles. The euro and the russian ruble have also risen in value. After that, two belarusian state-owned banks raised the selling rate for this currency above the 3.4 ruble mark, with “bank belveb” offering the highest rate at 3.43 rubles per 100 pussian rubles. At the same time, “bank belveb” has announced that it will suspend processing deposits in belarusian rubles starting November 25.

In January-October of this year, the rb saw a drop in industrial production, most notably in gomel region (-0.5% compared to the same period in 2023), in agriculture (-1.7%), and in wholesale sales, most notably in Vitebsk region (-4%).

According to a decision of the rb’s government, the base value that determines the amount of fines, taxes, fees and other payments will be increased to 42 rubles on January 1, 2025.

In moscow's podolsk, law enforcement officers found 60 belarusians held in slave-like conditions at a landfill. Their documents were taken away and they were punished for attempts to escape.