HONG KONG – Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba visited Hong Kong on July 25, urging the city’s leader John Lee to take decisive action against Russia’s potential exploitation of Hong Kong to bypass Western sanctions imposed due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Both Hong Kong and China are viewed by the US government as significant channels through which Russia obtains materials for its military operations, including semiconductors and drone parts.
“Dmytro Kuleba… called on the Hong Kong administration to take measures to deprive Russia and Russian companies of the opportunity to use Hong Kong to circumvent restrictive measures imposed for Russian aggression against Ukraine,” the Ukrainian ministry stated.
Previously undisclosed US Commerce Department data reported by Reuters highlights Hong Kong as a major hub for sanctions evasion. However, shipments of semiconductors and other restricted goods through China and Hong Kong have decreased by 20% this year.
China, the world’s second-largest economy, maintains a stance of neutrality regarding the Ukraine war, yet it declared a “no limits” partnership with Russia shortly before the 2022 invasion. China has also offered diplomatic support and economic stability to Russia during the conflict.
Hong Kong has previously stated that it does not enforce unilateral sanctions imposed by other countries but rigorously implements sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council, following instructions from China’s Foreign Ministry.
Mr. Kuleba’s visit to Hong Kong came after more than three hours of discussions with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Guangzhou on July 24, where they focused on finding ways to end the war initiated by Russia against Ukraine.
The diplomatic engagements underscore the complex dynamics of international sanctions and the ongoing efforts to ensure they are not undermined by intermediary jurisdictions like Hong Kong.