Ukrainian non-resident Ambassador to the Philippines Olexander Nechytaylo on Friday appealed to Filipino businessmen to cease doing business with Russia and stop being an “accomplice” to the war crimes being committed against Ukraine and its people.

By Roy C. Mabasa

Ukrainian non-resident Ambassador to the Philippines Olexander Nechytaylo on Friday appealed to Filipino businessmen to cease doing business with Russia and stop being an “accomplice” to the war crimes being committed against Ukraine and its people.

“My message to the business community in the Philippines: Russia is an outlaw now. Every dollar earned by the Russian business will go to finance the criminal war in Ukraine,” Nechytaylo said in a message sent to Politiko.ph.

Due to the prevailing international sanctions imposed by several countries, Nechytaylo said financial transactions with Russia are “impossible” now.

Countries like the United States, Japan, United Kingdom, Australia, Switzerland, Taiwan, Singapore and the European Union earlier slapped Moscow with various sanctions that sent the Russian stock market to a halt Monday.

While the Philippines has already condemned the Russian attack against Ukraine, it stopped short of imposing any sanction against Moscow.

“Their assets overseas have been blocked and frozen. So, don’t be an accomplice to the crime, don’t make business on the blood,” Nechytaylo said in his message to the Filipino business community.

When asked if Ukraine is committed to pursue the talks to possibly stop the aggression, the Ukrainian diplomat said it is Russia who is not showing any commitment to negotiate.

“We are ready to negotiate but we don’t accept ultimatums,” he said.

Link: Politico