Struggling with new sanctions and suspended from the United Nations Human Rights Council yesterday, Russia is finding itself more isolated than ever. However, experts believe that tougher penalties will be needed to stop it.
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Symbolically, it is powerful and sends a clear message that Russia is, in a way, a rogue state. But this will not change anything about the situation in Ukraine,” explained the director of the McGill Institute of Canadian Studies, Daniel Byland.
Yesterday, the United Nations General Assembly sanctioned Russia for its attack on Ukraine. Of the 193 members, 93 voted in favor of his suspension, while 24 voted against it.
This is the second time in the history of the United Nations that such a resolution has been taken. In 2011, Libya was suspended for “brutal and systematic violations of human rights”.
“The fact that it is so rare that we take such a step and the fact that a vote for it clearly wins, sends a message of increasing isolation from Russia,” adds Mr. Biland.
Punishment of hydrocarbons
To destabilize the Russian economy and deter Vladimir Putin, the United States and Europe decided yesterday to impose new sanctions on Russia, in particular by imposing a ban on coal.
Representatives of the twenty-seven also decided to close the access of Russian ships to European ports. For its part, the European Parliament wants to move forward and yesterday voted by a majority in favor of a complete embargo on Russian oil and gas. European foreign ministers are scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss the issue.
For Laval University economics professor Arthur Self, it is precisely a blanket ban on hydrocarbons that could change the course of the war.
Since the beginning of the conflict, the West has bought nearly $30 billion in petroleum products from Russia, and provided nearly $1 billion in military support to Ukraine. We claim that we are really opposed to the Russians and, in practice, we are financing the Russian war effort,” Mr. Sylvie regrets.
arming the occupied country
Like him, founder of the Raoul Dandurand Chair, Charles Philippe David, believes sanctions will still hurt the Russian economy, “but not enough to dissuade Putin.”
And while yesterday the Russian army admitted heavy losses on the human and material side, it became more necessary than ever to continue to supply Ukraine with weapons.
“We must provide them with military equipment and, above all, give the Ukrainians what they ask for,” explains Mr. David, referring to the combat aircraft that have not been delivered to Ukraine.
– With AFP
