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Sanctions Bite: St. Kitts and Nevis Imposes Tough Measures Against Russia and Belarus

Government Takes a Stand Against Aggression

Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis - In a move aimed at isolating Russia and Belarus for their brutal war against Ukraine, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has imposed tough international sanctions on hundreds of named Russian and Belarussian individuals and entities.

Replicating Sanctions from Western Allies

The Cabinet of the Government voted to replicate in full the sanctions imposed by the European Union, United States, and United Kingdom, effectively cutting off financial transactions with Russia and Belarus. This decision is a significant blow to the two nations, which have been accused of aggression against Ukraine.

Pausing Citizenship Applications

In a show of solidarity with its Western allies, the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Unit has implemented an immediate pause on citizenship application files from all applicants from Russia and Belarus, regardless of whether they are on the sanctioned list. This move is aimed at preventing any individuals with ties to the two nations from benefiting from St. Kitts and Nevis’ CBI program.

Supporting Free Democracies

The decision was made in response to a UN General Assembly resolution adopted on March 2, which called for an immediate end to Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has reaffirmed its support for free democracies everywhere and condemned the “unlawful aggression” of the Russian Federation against the people of Ukraine.

Monitoring Sanctions

The CBI Unit will continue to work closely with Due Diligence companies to monitor Russian and Belarussian names against sanctioned lists and note any changes that may occur in the future. This move is aimed at ensuring that St. Kitts and Nevis’ financial system remains free from illicit transactions and supports international efforts to isolate Russia and Belarus.

Far-Reaching Implications

The imposition of sanctions marks a significant shift in the Government’s stance on Russia and Belarus, which has been criticized for its human rights record and aggressive military actions. The move is expected to have far-reaching implications for financial transactions between St. Kitts and Nevis and the two nations.