Photo : Reuters/Viacheslav Ratynskyi
24 February 2022, Thursday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #133
IN BRIEF
By Joeana Cera Matthews, Padmashree Anandhan and Ashwin Dhanabalan
UKRAINE
Ukraine: Parliament approves 30-day state of emergency
On 23 February, the Ukrainian Parliament declared a 30-day state of emergency. This was a response to the Russian recognition of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk as "independent". Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is allegedly considering the possibilities for announcing a nationwide state of emergency as the fear of war with Russia looms large. The imposition of an emergency permits officials to take restrictive action "in the interests of national security and public order''. (“Ukraine requests urgent meeting of UN Security Council — as it happened,” Deutsche Welle, 24 February 2022)
REGIONAL
EU slaps new sanctions on Putin's close aides
On 23 February, the European Union announced new sanctions against 27 high-ranking individuals and entities. Euronews reported: "They will all be subject to asset freezes: EU-based banks will be prohibited from making funds available to them, although this will depend on the degree of cooperation from the financial entities." The individuals will also be banned from entering or passing through EU territory. EU's diplomat Josep Borrell said: "This package of sanctions will hurt Russia, and it will hurt a lot." However, Putin himself has been excluded from the sanctions. ("Commanders, ministers and bank chiefs: The EU goes after Putin's closest circle," Euronews, 23 February 2022)
EU Parliament discusses the use of Pegasus by member states
On 23 February, the European Parliament announced to set up a committee to inquire into the Pegasus spyware scandal. Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders condemned the use of spyware to access the illegal information of politicians. Hungarian opposition MP Anna Júlia Donáth said: "In the spring of 2022, there will be parliamentary elections in Hungary. The stakes in these elections are huge because, despite all the anti-democratic measures taken by the Hungarian ruling party, there is a real chance that Viktor Orbán will be replaced." After the committee completes its investigation, it will file a report to the national governments and the European Commission. (Alberto De Filippis, "EU parliament to investigate use of NSO Group's Pegasus spyware," Euronews, 23 February 2022)
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Russia on charges and bans various tech firms for illegal content display
On 24 February, Russia charged Google USD 98 million for not deleting content in its site that was considered illegal in Russia. However, the announcement did not mention the offensive content. In the recent months Russian authorities have dualled the screening on tech firms on content display, similar to Google, Meta and Twitter was also fined on same basis. The skimming of tech giants come due to President Vladimir Putin’s push for “sovereign internet,” through which he aims to control citizens view and access to certain content relating to drugs, violence and extremism. On the same, LinkedIn and Dailymotion have been blocked for denying to remove such data. Since 2022, Russia is observed to on the spree to control content spread through tech apps and computers. (“Russia fines Google over illegal content breach,” BBC, 24 February 2022)
Fossil of Pterosaur a flying reptile found in Scotland
On 24 February, researchers discovered a fossil on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. The area is well-known for its tropicality and rains, where reptiles were believed to be existing 170 million years ago. As per the researchers, the fossil belonged to a Pterosaur which was largest in the middle Jurassic period found till now. The species was called as Dearc sgiathanach, which means “winged reptile.” Pterosaurs or pterodactyls were known as first vertebrates to fly which evolved to Cretaceous, until the asteroid that wiped out life on earth. The fossil was first spotted by PhD student in 2017 at the shores. (Esteban Pardo, “'Superlative' pterosaur, world's biggest mid-Jurassic flying animal, found in Scotland.” Deutsche Welle, 24 February 2022)
Belgium to shut down seven controversial nuclear reactors
On 23 February, the Belgian government signed a deal between the ministries to shut down its seven old nuclear reactors in Doel and Tihange. The decision comes due to increase in fears amongst neighbourhood and on safety checks. According to the plan, the closing of the reactors will start by 2022 and will proceed to be destructed by 2045. The deal was not a easy task, as it was most debated between safe handling and energy shortage. (“Belgium agrees to close controversial ageing nuclear reactors,” BBC, 23 February 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine: Foreign Minister Kuleba requests emergency UNSC meeting
On 23 February, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba requested an emergency session of the UN Security Council (UNSC) to be held. Kuleba tweeted: "Ukraine has requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council due to the appeal by Russian occupation administrations in Donetsk and Luhansk to Russia with a request to provide them with military assistance, which is a further escalation of the security situation." The second meeting in three days is expected to be held at 0230 GMT on 24 February. The request followed a failed attempt by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Via a Telegram post, Zelenskyy said: "I initiated a telephone call with the president of the Russian federation. Result: silence." Zelenskyy added that the Russian troops along the Ukrainian borders had reached 200,000. (“Ukraine requests urgent meeting of UN Security Council — as it happened,” Deutsche Welle, 24 February 2022)
Ukraine: UN Secretary-General Guterres calls Russian invasion "a moment of peril"
On 23 February, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the UN General Assembly on the Ukraine crisis. The UN Chief warned that the world was "facing a moment of peril". Guterres called for a de-escalation and added: "If the conflict in Ukraine expands, the world could see a scale and severity of need unseen for many years." Speaking at the General Assembly, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said: "Active diplomacy, strong political messages, tough economic sanctions and strengthening Ukraine can still force Moscow to abandon aggressive plans." Meanwhile, Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia cautioned that severe action would be taken against those violating the peace in eastern Ukraine. (“Ukraine requests urgent meeting of UN Security Council — as it happened,” Deutsche Welle, 24 February 2022)
European Commission’s new laws on supply chain
On 23 February, the European Commission received a new draft law that mentioned hefty fines for companies that fail to crack down on human rights and environmental abuses. European Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said: "The proposal covers two groups of companies, with limited liability. Those with more than 500 employees and a turnover of at least €150 million worldwide." European Coalition for Corporate Justice director Claudia Saller said: "The point would be really to enable the 'Davids' - in this case - to step up and claim their rights and minimise the power of the Goliaths and to come to a world where business doesn't mean violating human rights." ( Pedro Sacadura, "Brussels unveils supply chain law to guard against human rights abuses," Euronews, 23 February 2022)