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February
Russia vetoes U.N. Security action on Ukraine as China abstains
Written by Nur Yasmin
Russia vetoed a draft U.N. Security Council resolution on Friday that would have deplored Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, while China abstained from the vote - a move Western countries view as a win for showing Russia's international isolation.
The United Arab Emirates and India also abstained from the vote on the U.S.-drafted text. The remaining 11 council members voted in favor. The draft resolution is now expected to be taken up by the 193-member U.N. General Assembly.
"We are united behind Ukraine and its people, despite a reckless, irresponsible permanent member of the Security Council abusing its power to attack its neighbor and subvert the U.N. and our international system," U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said after Russia cast its veto.
Russia is a Security Council veto power, along with the United States, China, France and Britain.
China's abstention comes just weeks after Beijing and Moscow declared a "no limits" partnership, backing each other over standoffs on Ukraine and Taiwan with a promise to collaborate more against the West. read more
Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia thanked the Security Council members who did not support the draft, which he described as anti-Russian.
"Your draft resolution is nothing other than yet another brutal, inhumane move in this Ukrainian chessboard," Nebenzia said after the vote.
There was a rare round of applause in the Security Council chamber after Ukraine's U.N. Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya held a moment of silence during his statement to remember those killed.
"I'm not surprised that Russia voted against. Russia is keen on continuing its Nazi-style course of action," he said.
'RUSSIA ISOLATED'
The U.N. vote was delayed two hours for last minute negotiations by the United States and others to win China's abstention, diplomats said.
The council softened the language in its resolution to say it "deplores" Russia's "aggression against Ukraine" from "condemns," while a reference to Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which deals with sanctions and authorization of force, was removed along with a reference to "the president."
Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine as the U.N. Security Council met in New York late on Wednesday to try and defuse weeks of mounting tensions. read more
"Make no mistake. Russia is isolated. It has no support for the invasion of Ukraine," Britain's U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward told the council after the vote.
The draft Security Council resolution demanded that Russia "immediately cease its use of force against Ukraine" and "immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders."
The draft also demanded that Russia reverse its recognition of two separatist states in eastern Ukraine as independent.
"It is a matter of regret that the path of diplomacy was given up. We must return to it. For all these reasons India has chosen to abstain on this resolution," India's U.N. Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti told the council.
UAE Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh said her country supported the draft resolution's emphasis on abiding by international law and the U.N. Charter and was committed to the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of all U.N. member states.
Standing outside the Security Council chamber, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said: "We must never give up."
"It is important to remember that the U.N. is not just the chamber behind me. It is tens of thousands of women and men around the world," he said. "Standing, delivering, extending a lifeline of hope." (reuters)
February
China's Xi, in message to N.Korea's Kim, vows cooperation under 'new situation' -KCNA
Written by Nur Yasmin
Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un the significance of cooperation between the two countries, North Korea's state media KCNA reported on Saturday.
In a message to Kim, Xi said China is ready to work, together with the Korean side, to steadily develop the China-DPRK relations of friendship and cooperation ... "under a new situation", KCNA said.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is North Korea's official name.
KCNA did not further elaborate on the nature of "a new situation."
Xi made the remarks in response to Kim's congratulatory message for the Beijing Winter Olympics Games and a verbal message of congratulation soon after the successful closing of the games, according to KCNA.
Earlier this week, Kim, in a verbal message to Xi, vowed to strengthen cooperation with China and together "frustrate" threats and hostile policies from the United States and its allies. read more
North Korea did not participate in the Games, which ended on Sunday. In a previous letter from sports authorities in January, North Korea blamed "hostile forces" and COVID-19 risks for not being able to attend. read more
North Korean athletes were not eligible to compete under their national flag after the country failed to send a team to the Tokyo Summer Olympics last year, citing COVID-19 concerns. China has been North Korea's only major ally since the two signed a treaty in 1961. (reuters)
February
Taiwan sees limited impact from Ukraine war on chip supply chain
Written by Nur Yasmin
Taiwan expects little impact from the war in Ukraine on the supply of key raw materials for semiconductors, the government said on Saturday.
Taiwan is a major chip manufacturer, home to the world's largest contract chip maker and Asia's most valuable listed company, TSMC , and key to alleviating a global shortage of semiconductors which have in some cases forced auto production lines to shutter.
The cabinet, following a meeting chaired by Vice Premier Shen Jong-chin, said three key raw materials for making chips - the gases neon and C4F6 as well as the metal palladium - would not see much impact. Russia produces neon, C4F6 and palladium.
Taiwanese chip makers use little palladium, and neither Ukraine nor Russia is a major source for that which the island does use, the cabinet said in a statement. Domestic companies also have the ability to refine and "remanufacture" palladium, so there should be no impact, it said.
For neon and C4F6, there are already stocks on the island and supply chains are diversified, so "the near term impact is not big", the Cabinet said.
Taiwan's energy supplies are also secure, with 145 days of oil reserves and diversified supply sources, while for liquefied natural gas, or LNG, there are also diverse supply sources, it said.
Taiwan's government announced on Friday it would put sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, though it has given no details and the island's exports to the country are minimal. read more
On the financial markets, the cabinet said the Taiwan dollar's exchange rate was relatively stable but that the central bank would keep a close watch and take "appropriate management measures" if needed.
The finance ministry will also act to stabilise the stock market (.TWII) if necessary, the cabinet said. (reuters)
February
Japan considering imposing sanctions against Belarus
Written by Nur Yasmin
Japan is considering imposing economic sanctions on Belarus, in line with the United States, for its support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, two government officials with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Saturday.
It was not immediately clear which individuals or entities would be targeted by such sanctions. The officials told Reuters Tokyo will coordinate with other members of the Group of Seven industrial powers.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman declined comment. The office of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida could not immediately be reached for comment.
The U.S. sanctions over Thursday's invasion include 24 Belarusian individuals and entities, the U.S. Treasury Department said.
Japan has announced sanctions on Russia over the invasion, with Kishida terming Moscow's moves an unacceptable violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and international law.
Russian troops were advancing toward the capital Kyiv on Friday even as Russia and Ukraine signalled an openness to negotiations, in the wake of the invasion from the north, east and south, an attack that threatens to upend Europe's post-Cold War order. (reuters)
February
U.S. issues new general license on Afghanistan financial transactions - U.S. officials
Written by Nur Yasmin
The U.S. Treasury on Friday issued a new general license allowing international aid organizations and private firms to conduct commercial and financial transactions with Afghan government institutions.
The new license represents a shift in U.S. policy that had impeded ordinary commerce with Afghan government agencies headed by U.S. sanctioned Taliban and Haqqani Network leaders since the Islamists seized power in August as U.S.-led forces withdrew.
It maintains prohibitions on transactions with sanctioned leaders and other blocked individuals and excludes transfers of luxury items.
The license makes clear "that while sanctions on the Taliban remain in place, this action facilitates the private companies and aid organizations working with governing Afghan institutions and paying customs duties, fees and taxes," a senior administration official told reporters on a conference call.
Some experts have questioned whether sanctioned Taliban and Haqqani network leaders can be prevented from benefiting from transactions with the agencies they control without efficient oversight mechanisms.
The new license is part of what U.S. officials said are ongoing U.S. efforts to help contain an economic collapse that quickened in August when Washington and other donors cut financial aid underpinning 75 percent of Afghanistan's public spending.
"Our action today recognizes that in light of this dire crisis, it is essential that we address concerns that sanctions inhibit commercial and financial activity," Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in a statement.
The financial aid cut and a freeze of some $9 billion in Afghan central bank funds - $7 billion by Washington - have fueled a cash crunch and a humanitarian crisis that the United Nations warns has pushed more than half the population of 39 million toward starvation.
U.S. President Joe Biden last week issued an order sequestering half of the $7 billion frozen in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for possible use to recapitalize the crippled Afghan central bank. (reuters)
February
Paralysed banking system pushing Afghanistan towards collapse: Red Cross
Written by nuke
FILE PHOTO: Members of Taliban security forces stand guard among crowds of people walking past in a street in Kabul, Afghanistan September 4, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer -
Afghanistan is inching closer towards economic collapse six months after the Taliban seized power, the Red Cross said on Friday (Feb 25), with a paralysed banking system stymieing international efforts to get financial aid into the war-ravaged country.
Organisations such as the Red Cross have been forced to rely on informal money exchanges to move cash in to pay the salaries of some workers, although most of Afghanistan's estimated 500,000 state employees have now worked without pay for months.
"The banking system is totally paralysed. The central bank is not operating," International Committee for the Red Cross Director General Robert Mardini told Reuters, adding that it is paying some 10,000 doctors and nurses using the informal 'hawala' money transfer network.
Mardini said on a call from the capital Kabul that the international community and the Taliban needed to find a pragmatic solution to get the banking system up and running as Afghanistan was hanging by a thread.
"You cannot just run the country on hawala system. There needs to be a political negotiation for this. But the clock is ticking," Mardini added.
Afghanistan's new rulers have appealed to the international community to help the country and have pressed for billions of dollars of frozen assets overseas to be released.
The Afghan economy depended on aid before the western-backed government was overthrown last year by the hardline Islamist Taliban, who are under unilateral sanctions that have made foreign banks reluctant to facilitate aid money transfers.
The United States has sought to allay fears of those providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan of falling foul of sanctions and said it would free up US$3.5 billion in frozen Afghan central bank assets on US soil to help Afghans.
Mardini said the Red Cross would soon request an additional US$50 million from donors for aid to Afghanistan this year, on top of an already budgeted 150 million Swiss francs (US$161 million).
"Humanitarian aid is needed more than ever," he said//CNA
February
Ukraine reports higher Chernobyl radiation after Russians capture plant
Written by nuke
FILE PHOTO: An aerial view from a plane shows a New Safe Confinement (NSC) structure over the old sarcophagus covering the damaged fourth reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant during a tour to the Chernobyl exclusion zone, Ukraine April 3, 2021. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/File Photo -
Ukraine said on Friday (Feb 25) it had recorded increased radiation levels from the defunct Chernobyl nuclear power plant, a day after the site was captured by Russian forces, due to military activity causing radioactive dust to rise into the air.
The former power plant was captured by Russian forces on Thursday after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, an adviser to the Ukrainian presidential office said.
The still-radioactive site of the 1986 nuclear disaster lies some 100 km (62 miles) from Kyiv.
Experts at Ukraine's state nuclear agency said the change was due to the movement of heavy military equipment in the area lifting radioactive dust into the air.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said the radiation at the site did not pose any danger to the public.
"The readings reported by the regulator – of up to 9.46 microSieverts per hour – are low and remain within the operational range measured in the Exclusion Zone since it was established," the IAEA said.
Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi added it was of vital importance that the safe and secure operations of the zone's nuclear facilities should not be affected or disrupted in any way.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development said on Friday that the critical infrastructure of the plant has not been damaged and essential maintenance work was ongoing.
Ukraine's neighbour Poland said it had not recorded any increase in radiation levels on its territory.
France-based independent nuclear watchdog CRIIRAD said in a statement Friday it was trying to verify and cross-check the information at their laboratory.
"If the dose rates recorded correspond to real values, the situation is extremely worrying," CRIIRAD said, adding that further research is needed to interpret the data.
The resuspension of soil from military activities, or damage to nuclear facilities, being either storage of waste or the containment structure, could be one of the reasons for the rise in radioactivity levels, CRIIRAD spokesperson Bruno Chareyron said.
Another possibility was that the readings were inaccurate as a result of interference from cyberattacks, he said.
The area has many high-risk installations, including radioactive waste processing and storage facilities, most of them unsecured, CRIIRAD said.
Other reactors in Ukraine also pose a safety risk in case of an accident, the watchdog said. While it was possible to reduce the potential risk by shutting down the reactors, Ukraine depends on nuclear power for more than 50 per cent of their electricity supply, it said//CNA
February
Thailand and Malaysia to expedite quarantine-free cross-border travels for vaccinated travellers
Written by nuke
Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha and Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob. (Photo: CNA/Saksith Saiyasombut) -
Thailand and Malaysia agreed to expedite quarantine-free travels across the borders for travellers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Friday (Feb 25) after meeting his Malaysian counterpart Ismail Sabri Yaakob in Bangkok.
“We share the hope that fully vaccinated people will soon be able to travel between Thailand and Malaysia without quarantine, while following public health measures of both sides,” stated Gen Prayut during a joint press conference at the Government House in Bangkok.
“Malaysia has called such channel ‘Vaccinated Travel Lane’ (VTL),” he added.
According to the Thai prime minister, a joint working group will be set up to discuss guidelines for cross-border travels in order to expedite the reopening of borders.
At present, fully vaccinated travellers from Malaysia can enter Thailand by air without quarantine under Thailand’s tourism initiative called Test & Go. However, Gen Prayut said Thailand is also preparing for the reopening of its land borders.
“I hope the Malaysian side will allow travellers from Thailand who meet the conditions set by Malaysia to enter the country by air and land when the situation begins to improve,” he added.
According to Mr Ismail Sabri, quarantine-free air travels (VTL-Air) between Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok will first become available for fully vaccinated travellers before other destinations are added later.
“The VTL scheme would also include the opening up of our land and sea border checkpoints such as Bukit Kayu Hitam-Sadao and Langkawi-Satun. By doing this, it would help to revive our economic and business linkages, particularly our tourism sector,” Mr Ismail Sabri said.
During their bilateral meeting, the two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to expedite pending connectivity projects along the borders that would promote trade, investment and tourism.
These projects include the construction of two new bridges across the Golok River and the construction of the road alignment linking the checkpoint in Sadao, Thailand and the Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint in Malaysia’s Kedah state.
The Malaysian prime minister is the first foreign leader to pay an official visit to Thailand since the outbreak of COVID-19. His visit will conclude on Feb 26.
Besides reopening the borders, the two leaders also agreed to explore new investment opportunities from both sides.
“Thai investors can explore new investment sectors in Malaysia such as digital economy, circular and green economy and in Thailand, Malaysian investors can participate in the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model, and other emerging sectors such as vaccine research and development, electric and smart vehicles, automation and robotics,” said Mr Ismail Sabri.
On regional issues, the two prime ministers discussed the situation in Myanmar during their meeting on Friday.
“We agreed that it is crucial for ASEAN to continue playing a positive and constructive role in facilitating a durable and peaceful solution in the interest of Myanmar and in the larger interest of the ASEAN Community,” said Mr Ismail Sabri.
“We share the same view that it is crucial for Myanmar to cooperate in the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, and the necessity to preserve the credibility and integrity of ASEAN. We look forward to the return to democracy in Myanmar,” he added//CNA
February
China's Xi speaks to Putin, calls for 'negotiation' with Ukraine
Written by nuke
A boy walks in front of Russian armored vehicles parked at a railway station in the southern Russian Rostov region on Feb 25, 2022. (AFP/Stringer) -
China's President Xi Jinping said he supported solving the Ukraine crisis through talks in a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, state media said on Friday (Feb 25), after Moscow launched an invasion of its neighbour.
In a readout of the call on state broadcaster CCTV, Xi pointed out that the "situation in eastern Ukraine has undergone rapid changes... (and) China supports Russia and Ukraine to resolve the issue through negotiation".
Russian forces have launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, unleashing air strikes and sending troops deep into the country, after weeks of diplomatic efforts failed to deter Putin from launching the military operation.
Beijing has trod a cautious diplomatic line on the crisis and refused to call it an "invasion" or condemn the actions of Russia, its close ally.
Xi said on the call with Putin it was important to "abandon the Cold War mentality, attach importance to and respect the reasonable security concerns of all countries, and form a balanced, effective and sustainable European security mechanism through negotiations".
According to the Chinese media readout, Putin outlined the reasons for Russia launching the "special military operation", and told Xi that NATO and the United States had "long ignored Russia's reasonable security concerns".
He also told Xi on the call that Russia was ready to hold "high-level" talks with Ukraine.
As the crisis has escalated, China has been forced to balance its close Russia ties with major economic interests in Europe.
And Moscow's approach is in stark contrast to China's long-standing stated foreign policy position of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs.
Xi said China was "willing to work with all parties in the international community to advocate a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept, and firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at the core", according to the CCTV readout//CNA
February
Japan says energy supply secure as it promises more sanctions against Russia
Written by Nur Yasmin
Japan will strengthen sanctions against Russia to include financial institutions and military equipment exports, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Friday, adding that an impact on his resource-poor nation's energy supply is unlikely.
After a similar move by Washington in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine, Kishida told a news conference that Tokyo would take aim at Russian financial institutions and individuals with the sanctions, which would be imposed immediately, as well as halt exports of military-use goods such as semiconductors.
Japan's move came after Washington imposed new sanctions after Russian forces invaded Ukraine on Thursday in the biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War Two. read more
Kishida also said he hoped coordinated action with other members of the Group of Seven (G7) nations against Russia would send a message to stem any aggression in Asia and other regions.
Rahm Emanuel, ambassador to Japan from the United States - one of Japan's key allies - praised the move.
"Japan's swift response in collaboration with the United States and G7 member, the European Union and Australia to implement financial sanctions against Russian banks, oligarchs and corporate entities, suspend visa issuances, and restrict the exports of semiconductors and high-tech products will impose unprecedented economic costs on Russia for unprecedented action," he said in a statement.
But Russia's ambassador to Japan, Mikhail Galuzin, said he had recently notified a top Japanese official that there would be a response to Japan's actions, terming them a "mutually unbeneficial step."
"I suppose it will be a serious response from us," he told a news conference in Tokyo. "I am confident that, (by) taking such steps, the Japanese government does not contribute to the development of mutual and beneficial friendly relations between our countries."
FUEL PRICES
For Japan, the most immediate impact of the crisis is likely to be seen in rising fuel prices.
Kishida said Japan would do the utmost to limit the economic impact to itself, including by ensuring a stable supply of energy.
Japan has about 240 days' worth of crude oil reserves and reserves of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to last two to three weeks, Kishida said, adding that the government would step up measures to stem a rise in retail fuel prices.
"The economic sanctions against Russia will not directly obstruct energy supply," Kishida said.
Japan will release oil from its national reserves as needed in cooperation with the International Energy Agency (IEA) and relevant countries, industry minister Koichi Hagiuda told a separate news conference.
Russia was Japan’s fifth-biggest supplier of crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2021, accounting for 3.63% and 8.84% of its total imports, respectively. (Reuters)