Photo : REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
23 February 2022, Wednesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #132
IN BRIEF
By Joeana Cera Matthews and Padmashree Anandhan
GERMANY
Germany suspends Russia’s license to operate Nord Stream 2 pipeline
On 23 February, Germany announced to halt the approval of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline after Russian troops moved into Ukraine. Russia upon recognition of the separatists groups in eastern Ukraine, order for its troops to enter Ukraine. The US, the UK, Poland and the rest of European countries have condemned the move and have levied strict sanctions on Russia. In the case of Germany, which has withstood the pipeline going against other western powers has now taken a decision to suspend the licensing. Thereby the Russia will not be able to operate until reversal of the decision. (“Ukraine crisis: Germany halts pipeline as nations sanction Russia,” BBC, 23 February 2022)
MIGRATION
Greece: UNHCR’s Grandi condemns “deplorable” acts against asylum seekers
On 21 February, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi expressed concern over Greece and other European governments “normalizing” unlawful acts against asylum seekers. Grandi said: “Violence, ill-treatment and pushbacks continue to be regularly reported at multiple entry points at land and sea borders, within and beyond the European Union despite repeated calls ... to end such practices.” Since 2020, the UNHCR has reports of an estimated 540 informal returns that were aided by Greece. Grandi called on European governments to make a concerted effort at “protecting human life, human rights and dignity”. The “deplorable” acts committed by the European governments, Grandi said, was further contributing to the suffering of asylum seekers. (“Greece: UN calls for end to ′deplorable′ migrant pushbacks,” Deutsche Welle, 21 February 2022)
SPORTS
UEFA to reconsider game venue due to Ukraine crisisOn 22 February, Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has said that the season’s Champions League final game will not be held in St Petersburg due to crisis situation between Ukraine and Russia. It said: “closely monitoring the situation" and "any decision would be made in due course if necessary.” On the same the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson commented that football tournaments have no possibility to conduct games in Russia, which has violated sovereignty. The European football governing body will decide based on the scenario and opt for another venue to hold the league match. (Simon Stone “Ukraine crisis: Uefa likely to move Champions League final from St Petersburg in Russia,” BBC, 22 February 2022)
REGIONAL
CRRT team formed to respond to cyber-attacks launched against UkraineOn 23 February, a team of European countries have been formed a cyber rapid-response team (CRRT) to defend Ukraine from future cyber-attacks. The grouping that includes includes Lithuania, Croatia, Poland, Estonia, Romania, and the Netherlands formed after a series of Russian attacks launched on Ukraine’s banking sector. In a recent tweet of Lithuania Defense Ministry: “In response to Ukraine request, [we] are activating [a] Lithuanian-led cyber rapid-response team, which will help Ukrainian institutions to cope with growing cyber-threats. #StandWithUkraine.” The response team will look into various cyber-expertise, forensics, vulnerability assessments to detect and respond to cyber-threats. (Joe Tidy, “Ukraine: EU deploys cyber rapid-response team,” BBC, 23 February 2022)
Petrol prices increase over fears of shortage of supply due to Ukraine crisis
On 22 February, with the fear in interruption of oil and gas supplies due to the Ukraine-Russia crisis, the prices of the fuels shot up. Despite the west’s attempts to use economic sanctions and creating block for Russian pipeline, as a result, the prices have then weakened. According to Manulife Investment Management, Sue Trinh: “Measures forcing the country to supply less crude or natural gas would have “substantial implications” on oil prices and the global economy.” The warning on increase of petrol prices was issued earlier citing the crisis situation. (“Ukraine-Russia tensions: Oil surges on supply fears,” BBC, 23 February 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine: Blinken cancels meeting with Russian counterpart Lavrov
On 22 February, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that his scheduled meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had been cancelled. The meeting planned for 24 February, was called off due to the escalation in eastern Ukraine. Blinken, during a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, said: "Now that we see the invasion is beginning, and Russia has made clear its wholesale rejection of diplomacy, it does not make sense to go forward with that meeting at this time.” However, Blinken maintained that there was a possibility of the meeting occurring if Russia did not deploy troops into Ukrainian territory. Separately, the White House also announced that a potential meeting between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggested by French President Emmanuel Macron, was unlikely. a diplomatic path to resolving the crisis. (“Ukraine latest: Blinken calls off meeting with Lavrov over Russian troop deployment,” Deutsche Welle, 23 February 2022; Emma Graham-Harrison, “Ukraine president calls up reservists as sanctions coalition against Russia grows,” The Guardian, 23 February 2022; Andrew Roth, Emma Graham-Harrison and Julian Borger, “Likelihood of war escalates as Putin promises to support proxy Ukraine states,” The Guardian, 22 February 2022)
Ukraine: Russia responds to international sanctions
On 23 February, Russia’s US ambassador Anatoly Antonov downplayed the sanctions imposed by US President Joe Biden against Russia on 22 February. The initial set of sanctions targeted Russian banks such as the VEB and Promsvyazbank along with Russian sovereign debt. Antonov said: “I don’t remember a single day when our country lived without any restrictions from the western world. We learned how to work in such conditions. And not only survive, but also develop our state.” The next set of sanctions by the US is expected to hit the Russian elites and their families. Announcing the sanctions, Biden declared: “Who in the Lord’s name does Putin think gives him the right to declare new so-called countries?... This is the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.” However, Biden added that he expected that diplomacy was still possible. Meanwhile, other countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada and Japan along with the EU also announced sanctions against Russia. (“Ukraine crisis: Biden announces sanctions on Russia,” Deutsche Welle, 22 February 2022; “Ukraine crisis: EU agrees to Russia sanctions package,” Deutsche Welle, 22 February 2022; Emma Graham-Harrison, “Ukraine president calls up reservists as sanctions coalition against Russia grows,” The Guardian, 23 February 2022)
Ukraine: UN Secretary-General condemns Russian recognition of separatist regions
On 22 February, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the Russian incursion into eastern Ukraine while calling out “the perversion of the concept of peacekeeping". Guterres was responding to the recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as republics by Russian President Vladimir Putin and the subsequent deployment of Russian troops into the region for "peacekeeping" purposes. Guterres said: "When troops of one country enter the territory of another country without its consent, they are not impartial peacekeepers. They are not peacekeepers at all." Guterres added that Russia was violating “the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine". (“Ukraine crisis: Biden announces sanctions on Russia,” Deutsche Welle, 22 February 2022)