Grenada becomes fifth Caribbean country to express solidarity with EU, UK amid Russian aggression

Grenada: In a major development against Russian aggression, Grenada has become the fifth Caribbean country to support the decision of the United Kingdom and Europe. Recently, the UN General Assembly has asked Kremlin to cease the fight against Ukraine and order their troops to go back to their nation. This firm step has been taken to isolate Russian Federation.

While notifying the decision, the Government of Grenada, on March 10, 2022, stated that with ‘immediate effect,’ the government has decided to stop processing the applications of the nationals of Russia and Belarus.

The official statement by the government read, “The Government of Grenada has decided to temporarily suspend the acceptance of new applications from Russians and Belarusians for the Citizenship by Investment Programme with immediate effect”.

It further stated that the Grenadian government has been keeping an eye on the situation of Ukraine since the Russian Federation invasion on February 26, 2022. “The Government is closely monitoring the current situation in Ukraine and will advise of any further changes to its current policy on this matter,” it further read.

The government of Grenada has further clarified that for now, it would ‘not’ provide the benefits of second citizenship to the Russians and Russian nationals residing worldwide.

Prior to Grenada, four Caribbean countries – Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia, have backed the decision of the UK and Europe.

The government of Antigua and Barbuda also released an official statement, which read that Citizenship by Investment Unit of the region has been checking the ongoing situation in Ukraine, the deteriorating conditions have been forced to impose sanctions against the invading country,

It further mentioned that the due-diligence providers have advised avoiding the applications from Russians amid security concerns. The Antigua and Barbuda government emphasised that the due diligence process in the country is a crucial component to check the eligibility of the applicant.

On March 8, Scott Furssedonn-Wood, the UK High Commissioner to Barbados and Eastern Caribbean, took Twitter and mentioned that more than 141 countries, including Eastern Caribbean countries such as Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, and St Vincent and the Grenadines, have voted in favour of UN resolution against Russian Federation’s aggression.

Many prominent leaders, including the prime ministers, have expressed their dismay on the Russia-Ukraine crisis.