November 25, 2024 Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

“Today, as we mark the solemn anniversary of the Holodomor, we also renew our commitment to stand with the Ukrainian people in their time of need”, US President Joe Biden said in a statement on Holodomor Remembrance Day.

“91 years after the Holodomor, we know once again that russian brutality, russian viciousness, russian savagery will never break Ukraine”, said US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at a ceremony commemorating the Holodomor.

“Today, we remember the Holodomor, stalin’s intentional famine that killed millions of Ukrainians. We reaffirm our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as it defends its freedom against russia’s aggression”, said US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Holodomor Remembrance Day.

Since the beginning of russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Canadian Armed Forces aircrafts have delivered about 10 thousand tons of military aid to Ukraine.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Noël Barrot believes that Western allies should not impose any restrictions on support for Ukraine against russia, and “not set and express red lines”.

“Ukraine’s victory will serve as the most effective deterrent to future aggression”, former President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen believes that in the near future the USA should prioritize aiding Ukraine with weapons over Taiwan.

South Korea will allocate $6 million to support the Grain from Ukraine initiative.

“We welcome Ukraine's commitment to global food security and the fact that food security is included in Ukraine’s Peace Plan. Support for Ukraine remains Sweden's top foreign policy priority”, said Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson in his address to the participants of the international conference on food security “Grain from Ukraine”.

“Japan will continue to help restore Ukraine's agricultural production and export capabilities. The government of Japan will contribute to improving productivity and reaching high standards, and will assist in demining and explosive ordnance disposal on traditional agricultural lands of Ukrain”, said Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine Nakagome Masashi.

“These attacks, along with the blockade of routes in the Black Sea, are severely affecting global food security. But despite russia's most violent actions, Ukraine remains a reliable supplier”, said President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda.

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Minister of National Defence of Canada Bill Blair has emphasized that the rf is trying to consolidate its position “in the world through cyber intrusions, global disinformation campaigns, and financing of armed groups and terrorist organizations”.

The US Department of Justice has indicted a 57-year-old Indian citizen Sanjay Kaushik on charges of conspiracy to export dual-use aircraft components to end users in russia.

Next week the European Commission is going to unveil the draft 15th package of russian sanctions.

The largest banks in China (Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank, and Agricultural Bank of China) have stopped issuing cash from UnionPay cards issued by the russian gazprombank.

China continues to absorb the russian car market: in the first nine months of this year, 72% of new car sales platforms specialized in Chinese car brands. In the first nine months of 2024, there were 4.07 thousand car dealerships and car sales platforms in the rf, of which 65% were selling cars from China (at the beginning of last year, the share of Chinese brands was 31% of all showrooms).

According to Eurostat, in September, the EU countries reduced beer supplies to the rf by 10% compared to August, to 19.3 thousand tons. In particular, shipments from Germany decreased by 18.3% to 8 thousand tons of beer, from Poland – by 21% to 2 thousand tons, from Belgium – by 3% to 901 tons, from Austria – by 37% to 182 tons. All in all, beer exports from the EU to the rf decreased by 12% (26.8 thousand tons) in the first nine months of this year.

The App Store has removed the app of the russian gazprombank due to US sanctions.

The russian group of diamond mining companies “alrosa”, which produces 90% of diamonds in the rf, is introducing anti-crisis measures – it will cut “employee costs” by 10% and stop production at some sites. Analysts estimate a 4-10% reduction in production from the current level.

In the first nine months of 2024, the rf’s population bought 13 million packs of antidepressants, which is by 18% more than in the same period in 2023.

According to the russia field research group, the share of russians who support the immediate start of negotiations with Ukraine has exceeded half of the respondents for the first time since the beginning of the war: 53% of respondents were in favor of starting negotiations, while the share of those who would like the war to continue decreased to 36%.

The current autumn conscription in the rb is held under new rules. In the past, young men had two medical examinations: first at the military commissariat, then, if they had health complaints, they were sent to a hospital or clinic for examination. Now there is no referral to a medical facility. If a conscript fails to report a change of residence in time, and now also a change of cell phone number, he faces a fine of 1,000 rubles (previously it was 120). For evading service, a conscript can now face up to three years in prison or so-called “home detention” (previously it was up to two years in prison).

According to the Human Rights Center “Vyasna”, six more people have been recognized as political prisoners in the rb. Two of them were sent for compulsory treatment in a psychiatric hospital for donations to belarusian volunteers in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Today, 1,274 people in the rb have the status of political prisoners.