This list has no legal force, but has threatened the reputation of around 50 large international companies.
France and China seem to be pressuring Ukraine to refuse to publish a register of International War Sponsors. This was reported by Reuters, citing its own sources, on Friday, March 22.
Ukraine could dismantle its war sponsors blacklist, which is at the center of Kiev’s campaign to expose companies doing business with Russia, within days, following a backlash from countries such as China and France.
According to the agency, this could happen as early as today – and the website that publishes detailed information about foreign companies operating in the Russian Federation will be closed.
The agency recalls that this list has no legal force, but has become a threat to the reputation of approximately 50 large international companies.
A halt to the accusations campaign…, if it happens, would indicate that Kiev may need to soften its position as it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain international support for its military efforts more than two years after a mass invasion, the news agency noted.
“It’s China, but it’s not just China (that was putting pressure),” said a source with direct knowledge of the matter, indicating pressure from France to drop retailers Auchan and Leroy Merlin.
For its part, Beijing, a major buyer of Ukrainian agricultural products, requested in February that Kyiv exclude all 14 Chinese companies from the list.
Austria, China, France and Hungary are pushing Kyiv on the blacklist, another source said, adding that it could be removed within days.
A third source said Ukraine was frustrated by the pressure.
The foreign ministries of the countries mentioned did not respond to requests for comment or declined them, and all sources requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Earlier this week it was learned that the Cabinet of Ministers was closing the register of International War Sponsors. Information from there will be transferred to the Interdepartmental Working Group for the Implementation of State Sanctions Policy.
The NAPC includes 14 companies from China, nine from the USA, four each from France and Germany, three each from Switzerland and Italy, two from Belgium, and one each from another 11 countries in NAPC register of International War Sponsors.
Source: korrespondent
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