Dear Editor:
Oksana Bashuk Hepburn in her piece “Punishing Russia at the G-7 foreign ministers’ meeting” (April 20) rightfully states that, “Presently, Ukraine is the only country standing up to Russia’s military aggression.” She also calls for a freeze on more oligarchs’ assets abroad as well as their removal from the SWIFT global banking system to punish Russia for its disdain for the rule of law and world peace.
She also notes: “Recently Ukraine’s Western allies added top oligarchs and officials to sanctions already leveled against Russia for invading Crimea and the Donbas. This time, it was for poisoning British citizens and the chemical warfare carnage in Syria.”
Ms. Hepburn gives the impression that the expulsion of diplomats and Western sanctions leveled against Russia for invading Crimea and the Donbas were taken unanimously by Ukraine’s Western allies. These two actions, however, were separate acts that need to be untangled and clarified. The recent (April 6) sanctions were taken solely by the U.S. and unfortunately not followed up by Ukraine’s other Western allies as she seems to suggest.
Yes, the West reacted to the poisoning of British citizens on March 4 with the expulsion of 149 Russian diplomats, including 60 by the United States. These expulsions, however, were mere pinpricks compared to Trump’s administration comprehensive economic sanctions taken on April 6 against seven Russian oligarchs and 12 companies they control, 17 top Russian officials, a state-owned weapons-trading company and a subsidiary bank. These sanctions were taken by the United States alone and not by “Ukraine’s Western allies.” It was only after the United States added its heft on April 6 that Russia’s ruble tumbled in global markets. In reality, most of the so-called allies declined to go along with these harsh actions and some, most notably Germany, opposed them.
Furthermore, when President Donald Trump criticized the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, urging German politicians and businessmen to revise their attitude toward it, German leader Angela Merkel said it was strictly an economic effort. And with regard to Nord Stream 2 – supported by Germany, but opposed by the U.S., the European Commission, Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic states and importantly President Petro Poroshenko – Chancellor Merkel and other European leaders chastised President Trump for meddling in the EU’s business.
Ms. Hepburn concludes that the June meeting of G-7 foreign ministers provides an excellent occasion to consolidate a united approach to Russia. In this respect, Canada’s Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland would do well to persuade her European partners to curb their enthusiasm for North Stream 2, because it threatens Ukraine’s interests. It is a move that would send a message to Russia that the West is united and serious in countering Russian aggression. Absent that, it’s talk as usual.
Second, the Group of Seven – which Russia is not a part of – must commit publicly, and in advance, to use sanctions and other means to punish Russian interference in Ukraine’s election.
Washington