Hong Kong Urged to Prevent Russian Sanctions Evasion During Kuleba's Visit

During a visit to Hong Kong, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on the city to take action against Russia's potential circumvention of Western sanctions. Kuleba's appeal comes amid ongoing sanctions imposed by the United States and European Union on various companies in Hong Kong and mainland China for aiding Russia in evading restrictions following its invasion of Ukraine. He emphasized the importance of maintaining Hong Kong's reputation as a liberal economy governed by the rule of law. In response, a spokesperson for the Hong Kong government stated that the city strictly enforces United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions. However, Hong Kong officials have previously indicated that they are not obligated to implement unilateral sanctions from other countries. This stance was highlighted when a yacht linked to a sanctioned Russian oligarch docked in the city in late 2022, raising concerns about compliance with international sanctions. Kuleba's visit marked a significant moment, being the first time a senior Ukrainian official has visited China since the onset of the conflict. During discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Kuleba expressed Ukraine's readiness for peace talks, contingent on Russia's willingness to negotiate in good faith. Meanwhile, China has faced increasing scrutiny from the West regarding its ties to Russia, with allegations of providing dual-use goods to support Moscow's military efforts. Beijing has consistently rejected these claims, asserting that Western nations are exacerbating the conflict by supplying arms to Ukraine.