The Battle for Ukraine: Cranking Up the Pressure on Russia
- International Pressure and Assistance to Ukraine: Intensified Measures on Putin
Western allies are stepping up their game against Russia with increased economic sanctions and military aid to Ukraine, all in a bid to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, leading a coalition of 25 Western heads of state and government, warned Putin that he faces unprecedented collective pressure if he fails to agree to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine.
The recent video conference comes as a response to Russia's continued refusal to back down from its maximum demands and its rejection of the US's ceasefire proposal. Starmer made it clear that Russia's dismissive "Yeah, but" was not going to cut it anymore.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj and other key players such as Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney and Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took part in the consultations. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were also connected to the discussion. Notably absent was the US, who, under former President Donald Trump, had distanced themselves from their previous Ukraine policy.
The Economic War
Enumrating Russia's financial sector, approximately 70% of assets within the Russian banking system are under current sanctions. This crippling of the banking system is furthered by restrictive measures against key figures in the Russian government and oligarchs, who now face asset freezes and travel bans. As a result, Russian GDP has suffered, with the country's growth in 2022 contracting by 2.1%.
The oil price cap and trade deflectors are also affecting Russia since it deprives the country of billions of dollars that were previously used to sustain its military activities. However, Russia has found ways to evade some sanctions by employing shadows fleets to export oil to other countries.
The US expanded sanctions to include foreign financial institutions that engage in transactions with Russia's military-industrial base in December 2023, increasing the risk of secondary sanctions and further restricting Russian trade. Though the EU has maintained a unified sanctions framework, member states have varying opinions on specific measures, particularly those with closer ties to Russia or dependent on Russian energy.
Diplomatic Manoeuvres
Starmer and other Western leaders insist that it's time for Putin to come to the table and engage in genuine peace negotiations. The latest ceasefire proposals have been met with resistance from Russia, which continues to insist on conditions that would disadvantage Ukraine and its allies.
In an effort to demonstrate their commitment to Ukraine's defense, Western nations reiterated the importance of sustained economic and military support for Ukraine. Closing loopholes and enhancing enforcement measures are crucial to ensuring that Russia can't evade current sanctions.
Looking ahead, the international community is faced with the challenge of maintaining the pressure on Russia while exploring new strategies for a long-term solution to the conflict. Instead of resorting to brute force, collaborating with diplomatic and military strategies will be key for lasting peace and stability in the region.
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, considering the heightened tensions with Russia. The economic pressure on Russia is tightening, with Western leaders advocating for increased sanctions on Russian banks and key figures in the government and oligarchs, including asset freezes and travel bans. Starmer and other Western leaders are proposing to strengthen the enforcement of existing sanctions and close loopholes to prevent Russia from evading them, not just for the sake of economic adversity but also to ensure peacekeeping in the region.
