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Finland returns $46 million of detained artwork to Russia

<p dir="ltr">The Finnish foreign ministry has announced that Finland will return three shipments of art bound for Russia that had been confiscated by customs officials. </p> <p dir="ltr">The sculptures and paints, which are worth a collective $46 million, were seized at the Vaalimaa border crossing on suspicion of violating European sanctions on Russia, according to Customs Enforcement Director Hannu Sinkkonen. </p> <p dir="ltr">The works, which originated in Italy and Japan, were destined for various museums in Russia when they were confiscated. </p> <p dir="ltr">Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs released a statement saying that the European Union amended its existing rules to exempt certain cultural artefacts from its list of sanctions. </p> <p dir="ltr">The rule change extends only to “cultural goods which are on loan in the context of formal cultural cooperation,” the statement said, without further elaboration on its motivation for the exemption.</p> <p dir="ltr">Many of the confiscated works were on loan from Russia’s State Tretyakov Gallery and the State Museum of Oriental Art for temporary exhibits at two Italian galleries. </p> <p dir="ltr">Other artworks were returned to Moscow’s Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts from Chiba City Museum in Tokyo.</p> <p dir="ltr">Following the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been hit with severe sanctions from the European Union, which originally included “luxury items” such as art. </p> <p dir="ltr">France has also been halted by the sanctions, with several French art galleries and museums showcasing on-loan Russian works. </p> <p dir="ltr">France’s Ministry of Culture announced that at least two paintings on display at Paris’ Fondation Louis Vuitton in a blockbuster exhibition of works from the collection of Ivan Morozov, a deceased Russian businessman and collector of avant-garde French art, will remain in France.</p> <p dir="ltr">The ministry said that paintings will not return to Russia “so long as their owner remain targeted by an asset freeze.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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Ukraine war: what history tells us about the effectiveness of sanctions

<p>The west has responded to the invasion of Ukraine by <a href="https://theconversation.com/ukraine-sanctions-can-still-make-a-difference-but-only-if-done-right-177783">imposing economic sanctions on Russia</a>. There has been plenty of discussion about whether economic sanctions are an appropriate response, what they hope to achieve and what the results will be – not only for Russia but for the world. </p> <p>Economic sanctions have been used as a tool of war for centuries. In 17th- and 18th-century Europe, when warfare was widespread, economic sanctions were frequently implemented. They included prohibitions on trade, the closure of ports against belligerent enemies, and bans on trade in certain commodities. </p> <p>Economic exchange was affected in more indirect ways, too, by increased privateering and piracy at sea, high taxes, and conscription. The economic consequences of war were felt not only by governments, but by merchants, manufacturers, consumers and wider society, as business and daily life were thrown into chaos.</p> <p>When Britain and France were at war during the Nine Years’ War (1688-97) and the War of the Spanish Succession (1702-13), both sides imposed economic sanctions on the other.</p> <p>England entered the <a href="https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/nine-years-war">Nine Years’ War</a> by declaring war on France on May 17, 1689, in response to Europe-wide concerns that France – and its absolutist monarch Louis XIV – was growing too strong. In its declaration of war, parliament authorised officials to “arrest all ships and vessels conveying any goods or merchandise in them belonging to the French King or to his subjects and inhabitants”. </p> <p>When Scotland followed suit on August 6, the declaration of war forbade any Scottish subjects “to trade or correspond … with the said French king or any of his subjects”.</p> <p>France and Britain again found themselves on opposing sides during the <a href="https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/Spanish-succession">War of the Spanish Succession</a>, a conflict fought over the disputed succession to Spain’s vacant throne and control over that country’s vast global territories. Similar economic sanctions were imposed. In January 1701, the Scottish parliament embargoed “the importation of all French wines, Brandy and other strong waters and vinegar made in France from any place”. </p> <p>The potential for broader ramifications are clear – not only would this harm France, but economic consequences would be felt by any nation doing business in French produce. There were social consequences, too, for anyone who enjoyed drinking French wine.</p> <p>This resonates with current fears over the price of oil. As prices soar as a <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52188448">direct result of the Ukraine conflict</a> and <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-60666251">global bans</a> on Russian oil imports, it is feared that prices of crude oil could <a href="https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Russia-Says-Energy-Embargo-Could-Send-Oil-Prices-Over-300.html">rise as high as US$300 (£228) a barrel</a>. Just like in 1701, this economic sanction does not only harm the nation against whom it is aimed, but has consequences across the globe.</p> <h2>Turning a blind eye</h2> <p>But these early-modern sanctions met with mixed success. Individual merchants used a variety of tactics to circumvent them, including sailing in neutral ships or carrying falsified documents, as well as entering goods through different ports. In addition, governments on both sides of the channel were complicit in permitting activities that undermined economic sanctions.</p> <p>In 1692, three years into the Nine Years’ War, the Scottish privy council issued six passes for ships to travel to Bordeaux on a commercial venture. Again, in May 1693, Scots were allowed to trade with and travel to France with “express leave” of the monarch or privy council of Scotland. French admirals, too, ignored their own sanctions, granting passes for British ships to trade in La Rochelle and Bordeaux throughout the Nine Years’ War.</p> <p>Similar patterns emerged during the War of the Spanish Succession. The British monarch, Queen Anne, earned herself a reputation for granting passes that allowed trade with France to continue despite wartime embargoes. And in 1702 the English treasury reported that French wine was being brought over from the Spanish port of St Sebastian: “It was taken there from Bordeaux, a Spanish name given to it, and reshipped in Spanish casks”. </p> <p>There was also widespread bribery of port officials. In 1703, <a href="https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-papers/vol3/pp99-127">the English treasury noted that</a>: "This management seemed to be carried on in concert between the consuls in foreign parts and some officers in the Customs … who for private gratuities undertook for and passed such wines as were of the growth of Spain. "</p> <p>In 1704, in England, the House of Lords <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Wine_Trade/4QONQgAACAAJ?hl=en">undertook an enquiry</a> that found that 15 ships in Bordeaux, mostly from the West Country, had loaded French brandies and wines. The resulting report stated that the government discouraged informers and was inclined to hush the matter up rather than pursue the offenders.</p> <p>The stringent economic sanctions imposed during these early-modern conflicts were not consistently upheld, even as bold public statements were made about the strength of enmity. The importance of international economic relationships meant that trade had to be allowed to continue, and governments needed to reconcile their political aims with economic necessity. Early-modern economies were interdependent, so it was in nobody’s interests to destroy established trading routes, whatever the political context.</p> <p>We are already seeing the broader consequences of sanctions imposed on Russia, particularly in terms of the rising prices of oil and <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-60653856">food</a>. As the world watches Ukraine, it is worth remembering that in the past, the cost of upholding economic sanctions was often seen as too high a price to pay.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/ukraine-war-what-history-tells-us-about-the-effectiveness-of-sanctions-178835" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

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Australia and New Zealand targeted by Russia’s sanctions

<p dir="ltr">As the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its second week, Moscow has <a href="https://www.news.com.au/world/europe/russia-to-sanction-australia-after-unfriendly-response-to-ukraine-invasion/news-story/07c493ede696d2067d5d312b2c8def2f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hit back</a> against Western countries for taking “unfriendly actions against Russia” - including Australia and New Zealand.</p> <p dir="ltr">Russian officials have drawn up a list of countries they plan to sanction in response to the punitive economic sanctions Western countries announced in protest of the invasion.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to a decree published on the government’s website on Monday night, the list of sanctioned countries includes: Australia, Albania, Andorra, Great Britain (including Jersey), the British Virgin Islands, Iceland, Canada, Liechtenstein, Micronesia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, San Marino, North Macedonia, Singapore, the US, Taiwan, Ukraine, Montenegro, Switzerland, Japan, and EU member states.</p> <p dir="ltr">As a result of the sanctions every country on the list placed on Russia, the country’s stock market and the rouble plunged in value - with one rouble worth 0.9 of an Australian cent as of Tuesday.</p> <p dir="ltr">With Russia’s new sanctions, Russian business dealings involving Australia and other countries on the list will now require special government authorisation from the Commission for Control over Foreign Investments.</p> <p dir="ltr">The rules also mean that Russian citizens, companies and the state itself that have foreign exchange obligations to creditors from the list will be able to pay them in roubles.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, the new decree is a temporary measure and only valid to payments exceeding 10 million roubles (around $98,369).</p> <p dir="ltr">Australian institutions and companies wanting to sell holdings in Russian companies are likely to be impacted by the changes, including Australia’s Future Fund - which currently has $200 million in holdings - as well as the NSW state government and Australian superannuation funds.</p> <p dir="ltr">Putin has previously said the sanctions the West has placed on Russia are “akin to a declaration of war”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But thank God it has not come to that,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has accused Russia of engaging in months of aggression and intimidation in the lead-up to the attack, and has warned that sanctions would continue to ramp up.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Together with the international community, we are banding together … to condemn these outrageous acts in the strongest possible terms,” Mr Morrison said.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-81f418ed-7fff-bef1-aab7-6ee1f5069d72"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“We must ensure there is a cost for this violent, unacceptable, and egregious behaviour.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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Clive Palmer in more hot water over Hitler Mercedes furore

<p dir="ltr">Clive Palmer has come under fire and could face the full weight of the law after <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/clive-palmer-buys-adolf-hitlers-mercedes-from-russian-billionaire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">allegedly</a> importing a Mercedes-Benz once owned and used by Adolf Hitler.</p> <p dir="ltr">The controversial billionaire and politician reportedly purchased the 1939 770 Grosser Offener Tourenwagen (“large open touring car”) from an unnamed Russian billionaire.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though the identity of the seller and the time-frame of the sale is unclear, the Courier Mail reported that negotiations took place over two years.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews has called on Mr Palmer to explain his actions and said he will face hefty consequences if it is found he breached import, customs and sanctions rules by buying and importing the vehicle.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b331882e-7fff-34f1-9693-3dacbc37cd4d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“If an individual contravenes our sanctions regime there will be serious consequences under Australian law. The bottom line is: No one gets a special deal and the rules apply to all,” she <a href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/motoring/motoring-news/clive-palmer-warned-after-reportedly-buying-adolf-hitlers-mercedes/news-story/11cbac51b128fc3baaeab26056bd4aec" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Should this not be “Australian Nazi-sympathising oligarch breaks trade sanctions on Russia during global humanitarian crisis” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RussiaUkraine?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RussiaUkraine</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClivePalmer?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ClivePalmer</a> <a href="https://t.co/K6b5JDaDRn">https://t.co/K6b5JDaDRn</a></p> <p>— jo dodds 🔥🔥🔥 (@JoDodds6) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoDodds6/status/1499151893825687552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">News of the purchase came shortly after sanctions were announced against Russian financial institutions, as well as individuals of “strategic and economic significance to Russia”.</p> <p dir="ltr">If reports of the sale are true, Mr Palmer will also have to ensure the car doesn’t contain any asbestos, which is often found in the brake and clutch components of classic cars.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-02/clive-palmer-reportedly-buys-hitlers-car/100874720" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Failing to do so</a> before he imports the vehicle could see him slapped with a $180,000 fine - which is three times the value of the car - or a $900,000 fine if one of his companies purchased and imported it.</p> <p dir="ltr">There is no suggestion that the avid car collector supports or sympathises with the Nazi movement, and Ms Andrews has outright condemned any glorification of the movement on behalf of the government.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The government absolutely condemns any glorification of Nazi history and neo-Nazi extremist activity in Australia,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-301828fa-7fff-4fef-5c5d-7921ca95c9fb"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“I understand why people may find this purchase by Clive Palmer offensive.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">On Monday I asked the government to stop Clive Palmer importing Hitler’s car using the Customs Act.</p> <p>Today the Government has acted on my request.</p> <p>There is no reason for the importation of these obscene objects into Australia, billionaire or not.</p> <p>Read my full letter below. <a href="https://t.co/KyvTEbV2bq">pic.twitter.com/KyvTEbV2bq</a></p> <p>— Patrick Gorman MP (@PatrickGormanMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/PatrickGormanMP/status/1498835957407436800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">West Australian MP Patrick Gorman also shared his disapproval, writing to Ms Andrews on Monday to ask that the federal government urgently investigate the alleged purchase.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Many of my constituents are concerned with this purchase and the message it sends. I believe that it is inappropriate for Mr Palmer to personally own such an item,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I seek an assurance from you as minister that Mr Palmer has not breached Australia’s customs and sanctions requirements.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2b1a0d2a-7fff-6641-33b2-ae168b60cb10"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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Putin’s allies in tears over sanctions impacting luxury homes

<p dir="ltr">A Russian TV host has complained about sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union and how they are impacting his various luxury properties in Italy. </p> <p dir="ltr">Vladimir Soloviev was angered to tears as he discussed the restrictions, and how he was now facing the loss of his two luxury villas in Lake Como: a popular location for Hollywood’s elite. </p> <p dir="ltr">The TV host, who is known for strident attacks on the West, flew into a passionate rage as he debated Italy’s property rights. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I was told that Europe is a citadel of rights, that everything is permitted, that’s what they said … I know from personal experience about the so-called ‘sacred property rights’,’’ he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">During Friday’s program of <em>The Evening With Vladimir Soloviev</em>, he complained, “I bought it, paid a crazy amount of taxes, I did everything. And suddenly someone makes a decision that this journalist is now on the list of sanctions.” </p> <p dir="ltr">“And right away it affects your real estate. Wait a minute. But you told us that Europe has sacred property rights!”</p> <p dir="ltr">A disgusted Soloviev said of the sanctions, “All of a sudden, now they say: ‘Are you Russian? Then we will close your bank account, if it’s in Europe. And if it’s in England, you’re allowed to keep no more than a certain amount there. Why? Because you’re Russian.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Following Soloviev’s on-air spat, hundreds of people flocked to Twitter to express their disgust at his rant, noting that people were dying while he was only concerned about his holiday home. </p> <p dir="ltr">As he concluded his rant, Soloviev looked at his watch before looking at the television camera and saying, “Is Trump coming back yet?”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Russia-1 / Getty Images</em></p>

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