By Helen Reid

JOHANNESBURG, (Reuters) – The United States of America and Britain have boycotted some Kimberley Process meetings due to Russia being their chair. This is a clear indication of the geopolitical rifts caused by Russia’s invasion in Ukraine that are affecting diamond certification efforts internationally.

Established in 2003 by 85 nations, the Kimberley Process certifies raw diamond exports. It also monitors compliance with requirements to stem conflict diamonds.

It is possible for the Kimberley Process to become stagnant due to this division, which could undermine efforts towards better control of conflict diamonds.

As part of its economic sanctions against Russia, the United States banned last week the import of Russian diamonds.

Although the European Union, which houses Antwerp’s major diamond trading center, has not yet prohibited Russian diamond imports, however, on Tuesday it banned EU luxury goods exceeding 300 euros from Russia. This includes rough and polished diamonds.

The United Kingdom hasn’t banned Russian imports of diamonds.

Separate emails obtained by Reuters show that the British and American delegates to Kimberley Process stated they would not attend meetings of the two Russian committees.

In an email sent to members on March 9, George Cajati, acting U.S. Kimberley Process focal person, stated that “While the United States is fully committed to maintaining its active role within the KP,”

Russia’s Kimberley Process representative sent a so-called “point blank response” on Thursday to the boycotts.

The Russian statement that was seen by Reuters stated, “We will never give in to provocations and connive about discussing within the Kimberley Process a critically international issue which is beyond its scope,”

“Irresponsible efforts to forcefully politicize activities of Kimberley Process jeopardize its achievements, threaten implementation of its current agenda, and go against the interests the diamond industry.”

The Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition, a group of non-governmental organisations that has observer status at the KP, has called on https://www.kpcivilsociety.org/press/kp-csc-calls-for-kimberley-process-meeting-on-russian-invasion-and-links-with-diamond-trade governments and industry to ensure diamonds produced in Russia or by Alrosa do not contribute to financing the conflict in Ukraine.

Botswana is the chair of this year’s Kimberley Process and was requested by The Coalition to hold a plenary session on the subject.

Alrosa has not yet responded to my request for comment.

Botswana has not yet responded to my request.