The Principality of Monaco rises in turn against the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. It announced on Monday evening that it had “adopted and implemented, without delay, procedures for freezing funds and economic sanctions identical to those taken by most European states”, according to a press release from the office of the Monegasque sovereign. A decision taken “in accordance with its international commitments”.
Like Switzerland on Monday, Monaco is aligning itself with its neighbors in the European Union, four days after the start of the bombardments and attacks ordered by Vladimir Putin.
“Immediate ceasefire”
Prince Albert II “strongly condemns the invasion of Ukraine”, expresses “his full solidarity with the Ukrainian people” and “supports the calls for an immediate ceasefire”, the press release states.
In this text, the Principality “reaffirms its attachment to respect for international law, sovereignty, integrity and independence of States” and “calls for respect for humanitarian law”. She says she is ready to help the humanitarian organizations “courageously engaged in the field”.
Many Russians on the Rock
Monaco, the second smallest state in the world, hosts some 750 Russian residents. AS Monaco, the Ligue 1 football team, is owned by Dmitri Rybolovlev. Similarly, the majority shareholder and president of AS Monaco basketball, the ProA club, is also Russian. Aleksej Fedoricsev succeeded at the end of January at the head of the club to the Ukrainian Sergey Dyadechko, who is now vice-president.
Monaco has a long-standing close relationship with Russia, with the first commercial and political treaties and agreements concluded between the Russian Empire and the principality dating back to the 19th century. At the cultural level as well, like the Diaghilev Russian ballets which established themselves in Monte-Carlo at the start of the 20th century.
Head of state without an army, like the pope, Prince Albert II of Monaco removed the principality in 2009 from the list of tax havens drawn up by the OECD.