Ukraine's Kuleba warns in Hong Kong of Russia bypassing sanctions

Western countries imposed unprecedented economic penalties on Moscow after the Kremlin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The latest penalties have sought to target entities allowing Moscow to bypass the restrictions. The European Union has also imposed sanctions on 19 Chinese companies, including several in Hong Kong.

"Kuleba also called on the Hong Kong Administration to take measures to prevent Russia and Russian companies from using Hong Kong to circumvent the restrictive measures imposed for Russia's aggression against Ukraine," his ministry said.

"These restrictive measures are necessary to weaken Russia's capacity to wage war and kill people in Ukraine," he said, according to the statement.

"Russia's machinations should not spoil Hong Kong's reputation as a highly developed liberal economy based on unwavering respect for the rule of law."

A Hong Kong government spokesman told AFP the city "implements and strictly enforces" United Nations Security Council sanctions.

But the city is not obliged to enforce unilateral sanctions imposed by Western countries, officials there have said in the past.

Kuleba is on the final day of his first visit to China, a close ally of Russia, since the beginning of the war.

Kuleba said during talks with his Chinese counterpart that Kyiv was prepared to negotiate with Russia when it shows itself willing to hold talks "in good faith".

China is a close political and economic ally of Russia and NATO members have branded Beijing a "decisive enabler" of the war.