Week 143 (28/02-06/03/2022)
Global soybean prices increase due to crop failure in South America. As reported on Tuesday (01/03). | Picture: Tris T7
AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST
The ministry of health of Palestine said that three Palestinians have been killed by Israel’s military forces in two different attacks (01/03). One Palestinian was killed near the town of Beit Fajar, whereas two other Palestinians were killed during an arrest raid in the northern West Bank. The Israeli forces did not make any comment about the attacks.
The Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association (AMEJA) criticized the Western medias’ bias in reporting the Ukrainian-Russian conflict (01/03). AMEJA pointed out Western medias such as CBS News, The Telegraph, and Al Jazeera English to use terms or make comments that privileged Ukrainians’ race or economic status. The association said, “AMEJA condemns and categorically rejects orientalist and racist implications that any population or country is ‘uncivilized’ or bears economic factors that make it worthy of conflict. This type of commentary reflects the pervasive mentality in the Western journalism of normalizing tragedy in parts of the world such as the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Latin America. It dehumanizes and renders their experience with war as somehow normal and expected.”
Amanuel Giorgio, the deputy permanent representative, permanent mission of Eritrea to the United Nations (UN) during the 11th Special Emergency Session of the UN General Assembly, explained his vote on the draft resolution A/ES-11/L1 regarding the Ukrainian-Russian conflict (02/03). Despite respecting any country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence, Eritrea opposed all forms of unilateral sanctions. Giorgio argued that all sanctions are illegal and counterproductive as they only hurt innocent people and undermine efforts to peace. He suggested to make the diplomacy windows remain open.
Nigeria has opened a bid for the construction of its first nuclear power station (03/03). The station will have four reactor plants with a total output of 4GW or about a third of the Nigeria’s current installed generating capacity. However, some critics said that the country needed more greater transmission and distribution capacity, not extra generation.
ASIA
China laments the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and is extremely concerned about the harm to civilians. As of Tuesday (01/03), the Asian giant continued to take balanced view on Russia’s action against its neighbor. China believed that, while the security of one country “should not come at the expense of the security of other countries”, regional security “cannot be realized through the expansion of military blocs”.
As the invasion of Russia entered its sixth day, an Indian student has lost his life in shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The student, Naveen Shekharappa, was killed when he was standing in the queue for food near the governor’s house and an air strike suddenly blew up the building. On Tuesday (01/03), India’s foreign ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi posted on Twitter, calling in Ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine to reiterate their demand for urgent safe passage for Indian nationals who are still in Kharkiv and cities in other conflict zones.
Reported in Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty (01/03), the impact of Western sanctions on Russia came a lot sooner and hit much harder on Central Asian countries than most predicted. The region’s currency market, which had already been very volatile in recent weeks as the Ukraine crisis escalated, has particularly takes a swift, serious blow. The impact has affected even the region’s largest economy, energy-rich Kazakhstan, whose national currency, the tenge, rapidly lost it value, largely following the tumble of ruble. The economic hit, however, is widely expected considering the region’s close ties with Russia.
Reported in The Jakarta Post (03/03), ASEAN’s special envoy is expected to visit Myanmar from March 20 to 23. The visit is part of the regional bloc’s efforts to address the crisis in Myanmar. The special envoy Prak Sokhonn, who is also Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister, said he will meet with Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, Wunna Maung Lwin, the junta’s foreign minister, and other figures in the capital Naypyidaw.
AUSTRALIA AND OCEANIA
Australia will provide defense support for Ukraine which is worth AUD 70 million in missiles, ammunition, and other military hardware against the Russian forces (01/03). Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison can only promise lethal military equipment because Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he did not need a ride but ammunition. Supports from Australia for Ukraine will be provided through NATO.
On Tuesday (01/03), World Vision New Zealand launched a fundraising for children affected by the conflict in Ukraine. World Vision New Zealand National Director Grant Bayldon said the organization branch on the Romanian border would distribute aid packages. The packages include cleaning supplies and will focus on supporting clean water, food, and other essential supplies. In addition, to support frightened and confused children and mothers who have crossed the border from Ukraine, the organization will offer psychological help.
Many producers of goods in Fiji have experienced drastic price increases due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and COVID-19 (01/03). The Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) said it had received several applications from the company to review the prices of certain products. The biggest impact is the price of fuel, where prices hit USD 100 per barrel last week. Ambassador Satyendra Prasad said the world must unite to call for a peaceful resolution of conflicts, which can only be achieved through diplomacy.
Australia will provide funding for six new telecommunication towers in the Solomon Islands (03/03). The Minister of Communications and Aviation Hon. Peter Shanel Agovaka and Australia’s Head of the Office of the Pacific Ewen McDonald have exchanged signed copies of the SBD 37.6 million (AUD 6.5 million) 3G/4G telecommunications project. The project will be built in three provinces, namely the Shortland Islands in the Western Province, Isabel Province, and Malaita Province. The goal of building the tower is to bring better internet connectivity to the Solomon Islands community.
EUROPE
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy challenged his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to meet, saying, “Sit down with me to negotiate, just not at 30 meters. I don’t bite. What are you afraid of?” (03/03). Despite the slim chance of another round of talks between Russia and Ukraine, Zelenskyy still insisted that negotiations are more important than shots. Zelenskyy also criticized the West’s slow response in offering support for Ukraine.
A Spanish journalist has been detained near Poland’s border with Ukraine on Friday (04/03) over spying allegation. The man, named by his lawyer as Pablo Gonzalez, was identified as an agent of Russia’s military intelligence agency (GRU). Gonzalez has worked for several media including Spain’s newspaper Publico and TV station La Sexta.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has denied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s appeal for a no-fly zone, arguing that it could lead the war to spread beyond Ukraine (05/03). NATO forces are required to shoot down Russian aircraft to protect the Ukrainian skies from Russian missiles and warplanes. This move, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, could make the war even more dangerous and involve more countries. In an emotional speech, Zelenskyy criticized the decision and said NATO would be responsible for the deaths of Ukrainians too.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen urged the Danes to lift the country’s opt-out from the European Union (EU) defense policy so that it could join the bloc’s military operations (06/03). She also pledged to boost defense spending by DKK 7 billion (GBP 780 million) over the next couple of years. The decision was taken in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Global soybean prices increase due to crop failure in South America. As reported on Tuesday (01/03), Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay reported a decline in soybean harvests due to the La Nina phenomenon. The three countries affected were the exporters of 50% of soybeans worldwide.
Thousands of immigrants from Ukraine and Russia are predicted to seek asylum in the United States (US) via Mexico. The immigrants have entered Mexico and are expected to seek asylum by driving towards the border. The US stated on Thursday (03/03) that it was granting temporary work permits to Ukrainians already in the US as of March 1.
Thousands of tourists from Ukraine and Russia were stranded in the Dominican Republic. As of Wednesday (02/03), 15,000 Russians and 2,000 Ukrainians had to be temporarily accommodated due to the suspension of flights. The Dominicans are said to be accommodating the tourists until a practical solution is found.
Argentina managed to secure a loan of USD 4.5 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday (02/03). However, the loan still requires the Executive Board’s approval before being disbursed. The loan is intended to solve the monetary and financial crisis in Argentina.
THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
The United States (US) President Joe Biden delivered the State of the Union on Tuesday (01/03). The president said that the US would impose strict sanctions on the Russian oligarchs. Biden also stated that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) wouldn’t be directly involved in Ukraine, but it would help its member countries in Eastern Europe.
Canada will open immigration streams for refugees from Ukraine. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday (03/03) that emergency visas for the refugees would be issued immediately. The visa will be valid for a minimum of two years after being issued.
Canada and the US withdrew from the Arctic Council on Friday (04/04). Both countries declared their withdrawal due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The withdrawal was also followed by Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
The protest by truckers in the United States – entitled the People’s Convoy – has reached Maryland on Saturday (05/03). The truckers march towards Washington, DC, to demand the lifting of the vaccination and mask mandates. The action coordinator stated that the demonstration would remain peaceful.