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 as it was the first time a senior Ukrainian official had been hosted in China since the onset of the conflict. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed China's willingness to facilitate peace talks, although he noted that the conditions were not yet favorable. Kuleba reiterated Ukraine's readiness for negotiations, contingent on Russia's genuine willingness to engage. As tensions rise, Beijing faces scrutiny from the West regarding its close ties with Russia and allegations of providing dual-use goods that could support Moscow's military efforts. China has denied these claims, asserting that Western nations are exacerbating the conflict by supplying arms to Ukraine.