Ukraine conflict: Singapore to enact controls on items bound for Russian offensive

A view of the Port of Singapore, which has often been ranked as the world's busiest transhipment hub. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

Singapore is moving to enact unilateral controls on the movement of items to Russia that can be used as weapons, in the wake Russia's ongoing offensive in Ukraine.

The city state, which has often been ranked as the world's busiest transhipment port, will be disclosing further details on these controls soon, said Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan on 28 February in an address to the country's parliament.

In his address, Balakrishnan emphasised that Singapore values the good relations it enjoys with Russia and the Russian people. “However, we cannot accept such violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity of another sovereign state,” he said in reference to the Russian offensive that began in February 2022.

“We will continue to work with our ASEAN and international partners to take a strong stance against the invasion of Ukraine, and to end further violence and bloodshed, and to de-escalate tensions,” he added.

Balakrishnan further explained that Singapore has always complied fully with the sanctions and decisions of the UN Security Council, but has rarely acted unilaterally to impose sanctions on other countries in the absence of binding Security Council decisions or directions.

“However, given the unprecedented gravity of the Russian attack on Ukraine, and the unsurprising veto by Russia of a draft Security Council resolution, Singapore intends to act in concert with many other like-minded countries to impose appropriate sanctions and restrictions against Russia.”