Russia names TCI as “unfriendly”; Governor explains implications

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, November 4, 2022 – In response to the Turks and Caicos being listed as an “unfriendly country” to the Russian Federation, Governor Nigel Dakin says he is surprised it didn’t happen sooner, maintaining that the TCI would be fine and doubling down on earlier condemnation of the war.  He was responding on Tuesday November 1st to Magnetic Media queries from the weekend; when it was initially revealed that the TCI had made the troubling list along with other British overseas territories.

“Because of our opposition to the war, and the means by which that war is being waged, Putin’s Government and his supporters – but not the Russian people – are therefore unfortunately right to view us as ‘unfriendly’. That is not the position we want to be in, and so we look forward to an end to this terrible war, against a sovereign neighbour.”

As for what this means for the islands, broadly and specifically?

“We expect no consequences, but any private entity doing business with Russia should note the fact that, as a result of this listing, Russia reserves the right to pay its debts in roubles,” the Governor explained.

That rule of only paying and being paid in roubles dates back to an initial list in March of this year.  Russia, at that time, had released its ‘unfriendly countries’ which included the UK and three overseas territories among other countries.

“The list targeted in particular those who “imposed or joined sanctions against Russia—Given we had imposed sanctions at the same time as these three fellow Territories, I was surprised TCI did not feature back in March,” said Dakin.

Dakin explained that the listing seemed to mainly be for Russia’s economic benefit as it ‘has allowed the Russian government (and its citizens and companies) to pay creditors from those named countries in roubles.

He noted that, “For the three Overseas Territories already impacted, and listed in March, there has not been any other automatic measures implemented.”

Despite this, he went on to explain the possible repercussions of a different kind listing.

“What the list did not do was see Russia declare the UK, or those Overseas Territories it named, as an “unfriendly state under a formal decree.  If it did, that would restrict the ability of those named countries or Territories to employ or contract individuals residing in Russia.”

Dakin has been firm on his stance on the invasion telling media back in February when the incursion began that “Russia’s assault on Ukraine is an unprovoked, premeditated and barbaric attack against a sovereign democratic state. It is a clear breach of international law and the UN Charter.”

He reiterated this position again this week, in the statement obtained by Magnetic Media.

“For our part – and as described by both the Premier and myself in separate statements – but with the same message – TCI’s position remains as it was from the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  The invasion was illegal and the war crimes that have since followed are abhorrent. We stand with Ukraine”

Since the start of the invasion over eight months ago 7.5 million Ukranians have fled home due to the war, which has been raging for nearly nine months now.