6 Singaporeans still in Ukraine, 3 more evacuated: Vivian Balakrishnan
SINGAPORE — Three more Singaporeans have been evacuated from Ukraine while another six are still left in the war-torn country, said Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Thursday (3 March).
Dr Balakrishnan was giving an update in Parliament on the evacuation of Singaporeans in Ukraine. He said Singapore will also try to get humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, following Russia’s unprovoked full-scale invasion of its neighbouring state on 24 February.
On Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Singapore government will contribute US$100,000 to help affected communities in Ukraine. The financial contribution will be facilitated via the Singapore Red Cross.
Speaking during his ministry’s Committee of Supply debate, Dr Balakrishnan also spoke about the overwhelming support from the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in passing a resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
He revealed that Asean ministers were up till 1 or 2am communicating about the issue and that the regional grouping will be issuing a statement calling for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.
On Wednesday, Singapore and 140 other members of the General Assembly voted overwhelmingly for a resolution demanding an immediate halt to Russia’s offensive in Ukraine and withdrawal of all its troops.
In an emergency session of the General Assembly, five voted against the resolution and 35 abstained.
Apart from Singapore, fellow Asean members Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand voted for the resolution while Laos and Vietnam abstained.
In the wake of the Ukraine crisis, Singapore said it will impose export controls on items that can be used directly as weapons in Ukraine, as well as certain financial sanctions on Russia.
Dr Balakrishnan reiterated that Singapore has to be a staunch supporter of international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.
“We must take a stand against actions that clearly violate the sovereignty, political independence, and the territorial integrity of another country, of all countries, because ultimately this is also about us as a tiny city- state,” he said.
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