August 25, 2024 Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

World Leaders Have Congratulated Ukraine on Its Independence Day:

“Europe will always be at Ukraine’s side, because Ukraine is Europe. Your freedom is our freedom. Your security is our security”, said President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

“Although today Ukraine is fighting the russian aggressor, fighting for its independence, I am convinced that the war will soon end with the victory of the forces of freedom over the world of tyranny. Then a new world will be forged out of the darkness of war, on the ruins and scorched territories”, said President of Poland Andrzej Duda.

“Poland is proud to have been the first country in the world to recognize your independence. We will continue to back you and look forward to welcoming you in the European Union”, said Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Radosław Sikorski.

“Ukrainians, like nobody else, know the price of freedom and independence. The bravery of the Ukrainian nation in defending their country is admired by the whole world. Today, Ukraine is standing as a bastion of free and democratic Europe”, said President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda.

“You have proven your bravery in fight against evil. Today the whole civilized world is on your side – on the right side. We have no doubt that Ukraine will force the aggressor to make peace”, said Estonian President Alar Karis.

You are a nation of bravery, strength and resolve. You keep proving that to the world over and over again. Ukraine will prevail over the aggressor, and Latvia will stand beside you. Glory to Ukraine!” said President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs.

“We will stand with you for as long as it takes with whatever it takes until victory, until a just and lasting peace”, said Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer.

“Your fight for freedom is a beacon of hope for all who cherish democracy. Moldova stands with you, today and always”, said President of Moldova Maia Sandu.

“Your struggle shows that independence can never be taken for granted. It is something worth fighting for. Ukraine can continue to count on the Netherlands. Not only today, but every day”, stated Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof.

“Ukraine’s rightful place is in NATO. And Sweden strongly supports your path forward! Happy Independence Day! Glory to Ukraine!” – Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson.

“I want to wish you progress towards your goal, which is also our common goal – liberation of your country from occupation, restoration of peace, full sovereignty and territorial integrity of your country”, said President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili.

“Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Ukraine and Ukrainians have been defending the freedom of all of us. The freedom of countries to decide for themselves, the freedom of people to live and decide who they are”, pointed out EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova.

“Ireland will continue to stand with you in partnership and friendship. And we look forward to the day when Ukraine will win this war, rebuild, and join European Union”, said Ireland’s Ambassador to Ukraine Therese Healy.

“Japan recognizes that Ukraine's current difficulties are a matter of concern to the entire international community, and therefore continues to support the people of Ukraine to achieve a just and lasting peace. Glory to Ukraine!” said Japan’s Ambassador to Ukraine Kuninori Matsuda.

Lithuania has announced a new package of military aid to Ukraine, which will arrive by early September and will include short-range air defense systems, missiles, anti-drone and other equipment, weapons, and ammunition. Also, our country should receive more than 5,000 Lithuanian-made drones by the end of the autumn.

The Norwegian arms company Nammo has granted Ukraine a license to produce 155-millimeter artillery shells.

23,000 Ukrainian military servicemen have already been trained in Poland.

Next week, for the first time, EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministers will discuss the possibility of sending military instructors to Ukraine.

Vice President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis has said that having studied the situation with the cessation of the transit of the russian lukoil oil through Ukraine, the European Commission is convinced that there is no reason to worry about the energy security of Slovakia and Hungary.

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The US Department of the Treasury and the US Department of State have imposed sanctions on 400 individuals and entities in the rf and abroad, including in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, who had managed to circumvent previous international bans and whose products and services enable russia to support its military efforts and avoid sanctions. The new US sanctions include more than 60 russian technology and defense companies, enterprises of the metallurgical and mining sectors of the aggressor country, and financial companies that provide moscow with access to the international financial system, including the structures of the russian companies “nornickel”, “evraz”, “mechel”, and one of the suppliers of liquefied natural gas – “novatek”. The son of the rf’s minister of defence pavel belousov is also on the US sanctions list. New restrictions have also been imposed on more than ten transnational networks in 16 different jurisdictions involved in the purchase of arms and equipment for the rf and supporting the russian military-industrial base. In the future, regulators will pay attention to those organizations that provide intermediary services for the rf.

US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo has said that the United States will take measures against countries that allow russian banks to open branches in their territories.

Starting January 1, 2025, the rf will introduce an additional 10% tax for exporters of coking and steam coal. Given the decline in coking coal prices on the global market and rising logistics and production costs, russian producers will continue to lose out to their competitors.

According to a recent survey by the russian public opinion research center, more than 95% of russians consider the most useless pro-putin lessons “talking about important things” which tell about “russian patriotism” and justify the war against Ukraine, as well as the study of the basics of religious cultures and public ethics in schools. 97% of respondents spoke against the government-imposed primary military training in secondary schools. 8 percent of parents surveyed want their children to become military or law enforcement officers, while only 2 percent want them to pursue science, entrepreneurship, or creative professions.

In 2023, more than 200,000 people left the russian agricultural sector, minister of agriculture of the rf oksana lut said.

The US Department of the Treasury has expanded sanctions against the official minsk government for facilitating russia's military aggression against Ukraine. The restrictions include the “diaproektor” plant in rogachev and its director filippov, as well as the state research and production association of powder metallurgy (gnpo pm) and its chief ilyushenko. “diaproektor” produces sights for russian armored vehicles and small arms, while gnpo pm develops warheads for UAVs.

The EU candidate countries (North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, and Bosnia and Herzegovina) have joined the EU sanctions against belarusian security forces, judges, and propagandists, which were introduced on July 26. Besides, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway have joined the sanctions.

brest region prosecutors have closed access to the website povestka.pro, which explained to conscripts how to legally obtain a deferment from military service.