A lot has been said since Russia invaded Ukraine. In this article, we compile the reactions of Singapore’s political leaders to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Amongst most ASEAN nations, the statements from our leaders were the most unequivocal as they condemned Putin’s invasion in no uncertain terms.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (24 February 2022)
On the 24th of February 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning “any unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country under any pretext.”
Reiterating that “the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine must be respected”, Singapore’s MFA spokesperson said: “We hope military actions will cease immediately; and urge a peaceful settlement of the dispute, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.”
Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen (24 February 2022)
The Minister for Defence observed that it was hard to “reconcile this aggression after experiencing nearly 80 years of relative peace”. He also reminded Singaporeans never to take peace for granted.
Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing (24 February 2022)
In a Facebook post on the same day, Minister Chan Chun Sing stated that “the reasons or even excuses to justify the use of force to violate sovereignty, as well as how international laws and norms are to be upheld” should be of concern to Singaporeans.
The Minister for Education, who was a former Brigadier General, reminded Singaporeans to “never ever take our sovereignty and independence for granted. Unless we are relevant, and possess the means and will to defend ourselves, we will be held ransom by the geostrategic contests of others”.
https://twitter.com/jbhavan/status/1496854076721549317
Bhavan Jaipragas, a Singaporean journalist noted than Chan’s stance was consistent with the established view amongst foreign policy analysts that a “key tenet of protecting sovereignty of small states is voicing out loudly when there is undue breach elsewhere.”
Minister for Laws and Home Affairs K Shanmugam (25 February 2022)
When Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, Minister K Shanmugam was serving as our Minister for Foreign Affairs.
In a Facebook post dated 25th of February 2022, Minister K Shanmugam referred to his speech in Parliament at the Committee of Supply Debate in 2014 on the seizure of the Crimean peninsula (that was part of Ukraine). He reiterated the four lessons to be learnt from the crisis were:
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When it comes to the crunch, treaties are only meaningful if you have the ability to enforce them. If Ukraine can’t defend the treaty and has no partners to come to aid, the treaty itself will not help Ukraine.
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In international relations, size matters. A small country which cannot protect itself puts its sovereignty at risk.
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The UN Security Council cannot always act decisively to protect small countries.
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When squeezed between two big powers or blocs, a smaller country like Ukraine can become a pawn.
The Workers’ Party (25 February 2022)
In a statement, the Workers’ Party affirmed “the right of all peoples to determine their own destiny”. The affirmation is crucial as Singapore, being a small nation-state, “cannot accept the invasion by larger powers of smaller countries or territories.” Singapore’s largest opposition party hoped for a peaceful settlement to the crisis.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (28 February 2022)
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong posted on his Facebook page that “if international relations are based on “might is right”, the world will be a dangerous place for small countries like Singapore. This is why Singapore staunchly supports international law and the UN Charter, which prohibits acts of aggression against a sovereign state”. Singapore, being a small country, must work hard to preserve good ties with all countries, and must not take sides, but instead forge our own path based on “shared principles and long-term national interests”.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan (28 February 2022)
Noting “the unprecedented gravity” of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in his ministerial statement in Parliament that Singapore will impose sanctions on Russia “in concert with other like-minded countries”.
Export controls will be imposed on items that could be used directly as weapons to subjugate Ukrainians, as well as the blocking of some Russian banks and financial transactions linked to Russia.
“Instead of choosing sides, we uphold principles. Consequently, when we conduct our foreign policy in a coherent and consistent manner, we also become reliable partners for those who operate the same principles”. Although Singapore is reserved in imposing sanctions on other countries, “there will be occasions when we have to stake a stand, even if it is contrary to one or more powers, on the basis of principles, as we are doing now.”
Support for Ukraine
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Singapore, Kateryna Zelenko, expressed gratitude for the Singaporean government’s “strong support” as she called the global community to unite against Russia.
Ukrianians in #Singapore urge everyone to help #Ukraine #StopRussianAggression .
Together we are strong!✊ pic.twitter.com/XfdJNvMZK7— Kateryna Zelenko 🇺🇦 (@KaterynaZelenko) February 27, 2022
“We see lots of messages from Singaporeans which we get through email or just from people who we know supporting us, trying to choose ways how to assist Ukraine in this difficult situation”. She further added that Singapore and Ukraine are “on the same page” with regard to the protection of international law and rules-based order.
.@KaterynaZelenko for @ChannelNewsAsia on Russian aggression against 🇺🇦: "We urge the international community to show solidarity with Ukraine by imposing immediately massive coordinated sanctions against Russia".#StandWithUkriane #StopRussianAggression https://t.co/V7X5lea0z6
— UKR Embassy in SGP (@UKRinSGP) February 26, 2022
Support for Sanctions
Three sources have told Foreign Policy that Washington has gained support from Singapore, Japan, and Taiwan for plans to impose tight export curbs on Russia. The three nations are key producers of “semiconductors, computer chips, and other high-end technological exports that Russia is reliant on”.
Singapore is unlikely to face a direct economic blow as a result of Russia’s export controls. Whether Singapore participates in sanctions or not, trade disruptions, energy and commodity price surges remain major concerns, according to The Business Times.
Russia’s presence, in terms of trade and investment in Singapore, only “accounts for 0.1 per cent of the city state’s total exports and 0.8 per cent of total imports”.
Appeal for funds
If you can, do donate to the Singapore Red Cross’ fundraiser for Ukraine, which you can read about here. The funds raised from the public appeal, to be held from 25 February to 31 May, and monetary contribution 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.
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