The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine proposed expanding sanctions against traitors - ex-President Viktor Yanukovych and ex-Minister of Defense Pavlo Lеbеdiev, as well as oligarchs Serhiy Kurchenko and Oleg Deripaska.

The corresponding proposals, which were previously considered by the Interdepartmental Working Group (IWG) on the Implementation of the State Sanctions Policy (which has been headed by First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko since the end of August), are contained in the decision adopted by the Government at the meeting on September 10.

It should be noted that the activity and effectiveness of sanction strikes against the aggressor state and its accomplices increased markedly with the emergence of the IWG. Figuratively speaking, in today’s popular terms, our “sanction HIMARS” - the most modern tools provided by legislation - are being used against the enemy from the side of Ukraine today.

“In May, the Verkhovna Rada adopted amendments to the legislation, which are drafted to increase the effectiveness of sanctions, in particular, they provide for the possibility of collecting the assets of sanctioned persons to the state revenue. And today we used the new opportunities provided by these amendments to strengthen sanctions against ex-President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych and those close to him Serhiy Kurchenko and ex-Minister of Defense Pavlo Lebediev, as well as the Russian businessman from Putin’s entourage - Oleg Deripaska,” the head of the IWG, First Vice-Premier Prime Minister - Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko explains.

By its decision, the Government submits proposals to the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine regarding the application of the indicated sanctions in the form of “blocking of assets - temporary deprivation of the right to use and dispose of assets belonging to them, including through other individuals or legal entities”.

The new sanctions will become effective after the relevant decision of the National Security and Defense Council is implemented by the Decree of the President of Ukraine.

Thus, this decision significantly increases the effectiveness of the sanctions previously adopted against Viktor Yanukovych and other persons, as it deprives them of the opportunity to dispose of assets with the help of third parties.

In addition, the application of sanctions in the form of “blocking of assets” in the amended Law of Ukraine On Sanctions enables the Ministry of Justice to identify and search for the assets of sanctioned persons and to apply to the High Anti-Corruption Court with a motion to recover the assets of the said sanctioned persons for the benefit (to the revenue) of the State.

We remind you that at the meeting on September 9, the Interdepartmental Working Group considered and agreed on the draft Concept of the State Sanctions Policy that provides for a more systematic, balanced and strategic approach to the sanctions policy, in particular, in relation to persons involved in the war that russia has unleashed against Ukraine and the creation of threats to the national security. Earlier, based on the results of the review by the Interdepartmental Working Group on Implementation of the State Sanctions Policy, the Government submitted proposals as to the sanctions against ex-Minister of Internal Affairs Vitalii Zakharchenko, as well as Rosatom and individuals and legal entities connected/affiliated with the company for consideration by the NSDC (the package is being prepared for submission for consideration by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine).