Russia - Ukraine Crisis
The business community is united in shock at Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and our thoughts are with the Ukrainian people and their loved ones whose lives have been devastated by the crisis.
The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce has been working to keep members up to date with the latest intelligence as the situation develops, as well as helping local firms understand the implications of the crisis on the Greater Birmingham business community.
Background
On 24 February 2022, Russia launched military action in Ukraine, with a full-scale assault on the country now underway. The military action came days after President Putin officially recognised the self-declared independence of the Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic, the regions of eastern Ukraine that are under the control of Russian-backed separatist forces, and deployed ‘peacekeeping’ forces to the region.
Russia’s actions have been met with international condemnation, with the international community imposing sanctions on Russia and providing military assistance to Ukraine.
Briefing Paper
The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce has produced a sanctions guide to help businesses understand the UK’s sanctions regime and how local firms might be affected.
Key Information and Resources
The UK Government advises against all travel to the whole of Russia due to the lack of available flight options to return to the UK, and the increased volatility in the Russia economy. If your presence in Russia is not essential, you are strongly advised to leave by remaining commercial routes. More detailed information and advice can be found on the UK Government’s website.
Visit the House of Commons Library for more information on the Ukraine crisis.
The UK Government has also detailed how businesses and individuals can get involved with supporting Ukraine, including offering information on donating money and essential supplies.
The Government has launched the Homes for Ukraine scheme, enabling individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to volunteer accommodation and provide a route to safety for Ukrainians and their immediate family members. The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce will shortly be producing a briefing paper which aims to provide businesses interested in participating with more information on the scheme.
Q&As
Stacy Keen, senior associate at law firm Pinsent Masons, joins the Chamber's head of policy Raj Kandola to discuss the impact of the sanctions placed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
Dr Steve McCabe, an associate professor and political economist at Birmingham City University, talks to Chamber CEO Henrietta Brealey about the impact of the conflict on the cost and supply of energy and how it could affect the transition to green energy.
Tom Pugh, RSM’s UK Economist, joins CEO Henrietta Brealey to explain the economic implications of Russia’s invasion and what this might mean for Greater Birmingham businesses in the long-term.
Phil Bindley, Intercity Technology’s MD for Cloud and Security, joins Head of Policy Raj Kandola to explain how cyber attacks could be used in the crisis and how businesses can prepare and protect themselves.
Dr Steve Mccabe, Birmingham City University’s Director of Research Degrees, meets with CEO Henrietta Brealey to discuss how the Russian invasion could impact the energy crisis and what this might mean for local firms.
Professor David Bailey, Professor of Business Economics at University of Birmingham, meets with Head of Policy Raj Kandola to discuss how the automotive and electronics sector might be affected by the Ukraine crisis.
In our latest Q&A session about the conflict in Ukraine, senior associate at law firm Mills & Reeve Mark Benton joins the Chamber's head of policy Raj Kandola to discuss the temporary immigration concessions the UK government has made in response to the crisis.