DIDE condemn Russia’s outrageous military attack against Ukraine in the strongest terms imaginable. Russia is blatantly breaking international law and jeopardizing European and global security and stability with its aggressive and unlawful military actions. We are saddened by the loss of life and the human suffering.
We urge Russia to halt hostilities immediately, remove its soldiers from Ukraine, and completely respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence. Such coercion and use of force has no place in the twenty-first century. In the midst of this unprecedented situation, the EU stands strongly behind Ukraine and its people.
DIDE argues the EU and other countries to apply targeted Global sanctions on corrupt and abusive Russian officials.
These penalties would make it more difficult for Russia’s authoritarian government to maintain its grip on power through illicit earnings. It may also dissuade Russian aggression against Ukraine; nevertheless, punishment for corruption and abuse should not be dependent on the Russian government’s behavior during the current crisis, which was enabled by the government’s unchecked corrupt regime.
The ideal time to apply these sanctions would have been years ago; the second best time is now.
