The Urgent Need for a Comprehensive Ban on Russian Aluminium: A Stand Against Aggression
In the wake of the tragic full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, it has become painfully clear that the time for “business as usual” with Russia is over.
For too long, European policy and decision-makers have disregarded to the intertwining of business with geopolitics in Russia. This mistake has had devastating consequences not only for Ukraine but for the very fabric of European security and values. It is high time we recognize that doing business with Russia is not merely a commercial activity; it is a direct financing of aggression against Ukraine and, ultimately, against Europe itself.
Eight years before the invasion, we, members of the Ukrainian civil society, implored European leaders to reconsider their economic engagements with Russia, including the Nord Stream 2 project. Our warnings, however, were brushed aside, leading to catastrophic results visible today in the ruins of Bucha, Mariupol, and the ongoing Russian war crimes across Ukraine. The West’s approach to business as purely commercial cannot stand in the face of Russia’s strategy, where business is an extension of politics and directly controlled by the state apparatus, including the FSB and Putin.
This misalignment in perception has led to a dangerous underestimation of the situation. Across the world, from China to Turkey, the “conflict” in Ukraine is recognized for what it truly is — a war between Russia and the West. Yet, when we turn to the West itself, there’s a startling denial of being at war. This denial poses a critical question: If we are unaware of the war waged against us, how will we strategize for victory? The reality is that while Europe itself may perceive it as a hybrid conflict, for us in Ukraine, it is a dire military struggle marked by cyberattacks, electronic and economic warfare on Europe.
The continuation of business with Russia under these circumstances is untenable. Every economic transaction with Russia serves to fund the machinery of war that is killing Ukrainians today and threatens to escalate into broader aggression against Europe. Why would we knowingly finance a more significant threat against ourselves? It is a paradox that undermines our collective security and moral standing.
The world has indeed changed, and clinging to the remnants of pre-invasion business practices not only disregards the sacrifices of the Ukrainian people but also emboldens aggressors. The narrative that “business is just business” becomes indefensible when that business results in the loss of lives and the erosion of sovereignty. It is not just about Ukraine’s survival; it is about defending our shared European way of life and values of freedom, dignity, and justice that Ukrainians have fought for, even to the point of giving their lives under the European flag during the Euromaidan protests.
Our moral duty extends beyond the cessation of specific trade practices with Russia. It encompasses a broader imperative to fully support Ukraine in its struggle for sovereignty and to work actively towards a comprehensive ban on Russian aluminum. This step is critical, not just for the symbolism it represents but also for the concrete impact it will have in cutting off a significant revenue stream that fuels Russia’s war machine.
Europe stands at a crossroads, faced with the choice between short-term economic interests and the long-term principles upon which the European project was built. We must rally to support a total ban on Russian aluminum, not only as a strategic move in the sanctions regime but as a testament to our commitment to peace, security, and human rights. Let us not wait for history to judge our inaction; let us act decisively to safeguard our future and future generations.
The war in Ukraine is a stark reminder that freedom is not free. It is paid for with the courage, resilience, and lives of those standing on the front lines. As Europe contemplates its response, let us remember that in supporting Ukraine, we defend the very essence of what it means to be European.
