U.S. Department of State: Russia & Ukraine

Posted by on


On February 24, 2022, Russia illegally invaded Ukraine as the world watched. The United States Department of State, who's mission is to "protect and promote U.S. security, prosperity, and democratic values and international environment in which all Americans can thrive," has been monitoring the invasion for the past year and been providing assistance and information regarding the conflict. The U.S. State Department emphasizes various policy issues, and the Russia and Ukraine conflict policy issue has numerous sections including how Russia is being held accountable, disinformation, and ways to help Ukraine. 
 


Policy Issue: Holding Russia Accountable

In the Policy Issue "Holding Belarus and Russia to account", Antony J. Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, bravely announced a strong statement towards Russia aggression. 

“President Putin may have assumed that the United States and our allies were bluffing when                                         we warned of massive, unprecedented consequences. 

                            But – as President Biden likes to say – big nations can’t bluff. 

                                                        The United States doesn’t bluff. 

                                        And President Putin has gravely miscalculated.”


In order to address Russian aggression, the United States has partnered with allies and partners to make sure Russia "pays a severe economic and diplomatic price." The U.S. State Department has highlighted numerous ways that Russia is being held accountable through legal action, sanctions, import and export controls, private section actions, and visa restrictions.   



Justice and Accountability

As the United States assesses that Russian forces committed war crimes, a court of law response will be responsible "for determining criminal guilt." Under Ukrainian government, the U.S. and its allies are doing the work to support the War Crimes Unit, support investigations, and run Expert Mission, which looks at human rights violations and violation of international law. 


Sanctions

The United States and its allies have imposed numerous U.S. financial sanctions on both Russian and Belarusian economies. Both states are currently being cut off from access to vital technological inputs and parts of their industrial base. The United States has also worked with G7 Leaders to continue having Russia's sovereign assets immobilized. Along with sanctions, various countries have imposed export controls on Russia and Belarus. There have also been various restrictions on their imports and exports from 2014, when Russia occupied Crimea and invaded Donbas.


Private Section Actions

While the United States will not force any company to stop business with Russia in response to their illegal invasion, companies are welcome to exit Russia. Some companies that have curtailed operations include:

  • Slack
  • Starbucks
  • TransferGo
  • Universal
  • Windstar Cruises
The United States has imposed various visa restrictions on both Russia and Belarus. This prevents officials and authorities from traveling. For example, some visa restrictions have been placed on 893 Russia officials that were involved in this illegal invasion. 

Policy Issue: Disarming Disinformation

In Russia, disinformation has been one of their most important weapons and have developed this propaganda ecosystem. This continuous disinformation has been a way for Russia to advance their policy goals. Some ways Russia has accomplished this is by the Russia's intelligence services ability to pretend to be news outlets to spread lies. Even while this happens and has been exposed, Russia continues to destabilize the truth. President Joe Biden has stated that:

"There is truth and there are lies. Lies told for power and for profit.
And each of us has a duty and responsibility, as citizens, as Americans,
and especially as leaders - leaders who have pledged to honor our
Constitution and protect our nation - to defend the truth and to
defeat the lies."

Policy Issue: United With Ukraine

"In this time of uncertainty, we have a clear way forward: Help Ukraine defend itself. Support Ukrainian people. Hold Russia accountable."

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken made the above statement in support of Ukraine as it faces the current Russian invasion. The United States is committed to:


Policy Issue: How To Help Ukraine 

The U.S. State Department, alongside USAID, has been working to provide medical and humanitarian assistance. For those wanting to send financial assistance and play a part in helping Ukraine, there are numerous reputable relief organizations working on the ground in Ukraine. The entire list can be found online, but some organizations include:

The United States has provided various assistance to Ukraine. USAID has worked with the UN World Food Program and three INGOs to increase food assistance. They've reached over three million individuals with food assistance. Various organizations have worked to provide cash assistance to individuals needed assistance with their basic needs. The entire fact sheets can be found here. 

Policy Issue: Russia's Filtration Operations & Forced Relocations

The U.S. State Department has highlighted Russia's filtration operations and forced relocations. In Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine, officials are "filtering" the Ukrainian population to suppress resistance and enforce loyalty. An estimated 1 million Ukrainians have been interrogated, detained, and forcibly deported. Once deported, some are taken to filtration camps where their entire identities are being collected as data. 


Other Resources

Get continuous updates from the U.S. State Department on Ukraine. 

Read President Biden's report a year after the Russian invasion


Comments

Post a Comment