After deciding to impose sanctions on Russia to show its support for Ukraine, Singapore will now contribute financially.
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs last night announced that it will donate US$100,000 (S$135,618) to the Singapore Red Cross to assist affected communities in Ukraine.
“These funds will go towards the provision of relief supplies such as hygiene kits, family kits and household kits for the vulnerable who are displaced by the conflict,” the ministry wrote, adding that the Singapore Red Cross is working with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, the International Federation of Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies.
This came the night after the government announced a sanctions package yesterday blocking weapons-related exports and some Russian financial transactions.
In response, the Russian embassy said last night that Singapore’s actions against Russia were “contrary” to its position to impose the “unilateral” sanctions, and would wound in bilateral relations.
“We consider it runs against the friendly relations between Russia and Singapore as well as counter to the need of speedy and #peaceful settlement of the situation in #Ukraine, which the Russian Federation continuously advocates,” it wrote.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also addressed the invasion yesterday saying that Singapore only makes decisions based on its principles and interests and never chooses sides.
“As a small country, we strive to maintain good relations with all countries big and small. We do not choose sides, but chart our own course based on consistent principles and long-term national interests,” he wrote.
He added that we should not take our peace for granted.
“We have been lucky to enjoy peace and stability now for more than 50 years. Russia’s attack on Ukraine reminds us how precious this is, and how important it is for all of us who call Singapore home to work together to preserve this happy state of affairs,” he wrote.
At an emergency session of the U.N. General Assembly convened late last night, Singaporean Ambassador Burhan Gafoor repeated the country’s condemnation of the invasion and even got a hug from Ukrainian representative Sergiy Kyslytsya afterward.
There are at least nine Singaporeans still in Ukraine and 10 have already evacuated the country since late last month, with some crossing over to the border into Poland.
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