12 Russian U.N. Diplomats Expelled, Interpol Suspension On Cards, EU Pushes State Media Curbs
Yesterday on Monday, the United States expelled 12 Russian United Nations diplomats from the country, accusing them of being ‘intelligence operatives’ engaged in espionage activities against the U.S. and threatening its national security. Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia termed this “another hostile action” by U.S. authorities and said that the move “grossly violates the host country’s agreement” and obligations, while also violating the U.S. Charter and the Vienna Convention.
Russia holds that the United States cannot take such a decision without consulting the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Special Representative Nebenzia also said that a Russian response would be in order, although he did not comment what it would be, saying: “it is not our choice, we did not start it”, as reported by TASS news agency. Russia’s Defence Ministry also claimed that its operation in the country is not meant to target the civilian population and all non-combatants can leave through the Kiev-Vasilkov route. “We reiterate: the special operation of the Russian Armed Forces does not have occupation of Ukraine or inflicting harm to local population as its objective," the Russian envoy said. "Demilitarization of the country stuffed with NATO weaponry is aimed at protecting long-suffering people of Donbass and Ukraine,” Nebenzia said. U.K. Leading Efforts to Suspend Russia From Interpol After Ukraine’s Request On Monday, the U.K.’s interior minister Priti Patel said that the British government will lead the international effort to suspend Russia from the Interpol, which is an international criminal police system. She told Parliament that “The Ukrainian government has today requested that the Russian government be suspended from its membership of Interpol and we will be leading all international efforts to that effect”. Film Studios Stop Releases; Meta, EU Move To Restrict Russian Media As economic and diplomatic sanctions proceed against Russia, multinational companies based in the West are cutting ties with the country as well. Top Hollywood media houses like Disney, Warner Bros., and Sony have halted theatrical releases in Russia in the wake of the ‘invasion’ of Ukraine. The movies put on hold include The Batman by Warner Bros., and Turning Red by Disney’s Pixar and Morbius by Sony. Disney said on Monday that “We will make future business decisions based on the evolving situation”, and also that it is coordinating with NGO’s to provide “humanitarian assistance” in relation to the conflict. Also Read: Payments Services of Apple And Google Barred For Russians Amid Sanctions The European Commission chief had also announced on Sunday that curbs will be imposed on Russian state media to prevent ‘toxic misinformation’ in the bloc. Following this, scial media giant Meta, owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, said that it would restrict European users’ access to RT and Sputnik which are Russian state-funded news outlets. Meta’s VP Nick Clegg said that the decision was prompted by “requests from multiple governments”. Google and its subsidiary YouTube have also been asked by EU officials to restrict access to Russian state media, but they have so far limited themselves to demonetizing content only.
The diplomats have been declared persona non-grata and asked to leave the country by March 7th, amid escalating tensions and sanctions on Russia after its ‘military operation’, which is being termed as an ‘invasion’ by the U.S.-led Western countries and their allies, began in Ukraine five days ago.During a Live press conference:
— GoNewsIndia (@GoNews_India) March 1, 2022
12 members of Russia's diplomatic mission to the UN have been expelled by the United States, Russia's Permanent Representative to the @UN Vassily Nebenzia claims. pic.twitter.com/up8dgVdz7I
Russia holds that the United States cannot take such a decision without consulting the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Special Representative Nebenzia also said that a Russian response would be in order, although he did not comment what it would be, saying: “it is not our choice, we did not start it”, as reported by TASS news agency. Russia’s Defence Ministry also claimed that its operation in the country is not meant to target the civilian population and all non-combatants can leave through the Kiev-Vasilkov route. “We reiterate: the special operation of the Russian Armed Forces does not have occupation of Ukraine or inflicting harm to local population as its objective," the Russian envoy said. "Demilitarization of the country stuffed with NATO weaponry is aimed at protecting long-suffering people of Donbass and Ukraine,” Nebenzia said. U.K. Leading Efforts to Suspend Russia From Interpol After Ukraine’s Request On Monday, the U.K.’s interior minister Priti Patel said that the British government will lead the international effort to suspend Russia from the Interpol, which is an international criminal police system. She told Parliament that “The Ukrainian government has today requested that the Russian government be suspended from its membership of Interpol and we will be leading all international efforts to that effect”. Film Studios Stop Releases; Meta, EU Move To Restrict Russian Media As economic and diplomatic sanctions proceed against Russia, multinational companies based in the West are cutting ties with the country as well. Top Hollywood media houses like Disney, Warner Bros., and Sony have halted theatrical releases in Russia in the wake of the ‘invasion’ of Ukraine. The movies put on hold include The Batman by Warner Bros., and Turning Red by Disney’s Pixar and Morbius by Sony. Disney said on Monday that “We will make future business decisions based on the evolving situation”, and also that it is coordinating with NGO’s to provide “humanitarian assistance” in relation to the conflict. Also Read: Payments Services of Apple And Google Barred For Russians Amid Sanctions The European Commission chief had also announced on Sunday that curbs will be imposed on Russian state media to prevent ‘toxic misinformation’ in the bloc. Following this, scial media giant Meta, owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, said that it would restrict European users’ access to RT and Sputnik which are Russian state-funded news outlets. Meta’s VP Nick Clegg said that the decision was prompted by “requests from multiple governments”. Google and its subsidiary YouTube have also been asked by EU officials to restrict access to Russian state media, but they have so far limited themselves to demonetizing content only.
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