Prezident

Yermak-Macfola group discussed with representatives of the Verkhovna Rada strengthening sanctions against the Russian Federation

International Working Group on Sanctions against Russia, headed by the Head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and Director of the Institute for International Research FSSI (FSI), former US Presidential Security Advisor Michael McFol, conducted online meetings with the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and representatives of deputy factions and groups.

At the beginning of the meeting, Andriy Yermak noted that the work of the group stimulates the development of sanction policy against the aggressor country-the Russian Federation. In particular, its activity influenced the appearance in the Senate, and then in the House of Representatives of the US Congress resolutions with a call to recognize Russia as a sponsor of terrorism. “Our group, I think, has become the main site for the formation and analysis of sanctions policy.

Today, our recommendations are used by all partners, ”he stressed. The head of the head of state said that Russian assets worth more than $ 23 billion were frozen abroad. The United States and work on their transfer to Ukraine is ongoing, for which a number of partners have made appropriate changes to their legislation. “The Russian banking system is cut off from the world. The ban on exports to Russia with a long list of technologies and products rejects it into the past.

Personal sanctions are imposed against the top officials of the aggressor country and close people, ”Andrei Yermak said. He added that the purpose of the expert group is to impose sanctions against all members of the United Russia Party. In addition, work on the book of executioners, which will contain information about every Russian military offender involved in atrocities in Ukraine.

According to him, the embargo on Russian gold, which is the second in profitability of the export of Russia, will deprive it of multibillion -dollar income. Within the oil embargo, some countries have completely abandoned Russian oil, and the European Union has committed to abandon the oil transported by the sea. Preparation for the introduction of gas embargo.

In addition, the head of the Presidential Office said that the International Group of Yermak-Macfola suggested that the sanction coalition countries impose a requirement for mandatory disclosure of any business contacts with Russian citizens, joint possession of corporate rights and property. The draft resolution has already been submitted to the US Congress. It is also proposed to strengthen responsibility - up to criminal - for evasion. This decision is already considered in the EU.

"Perhaps such initiatives should also be envisaged in Ukrainian legislation if the Verkhovna Rada decides to support it," Andriy Yermak said. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk stressed that Parliament is ready to coordinate actions to strengthen the sanction policy in relation to Russia. Representatives of deputy factions and groups have expressed their proposals and ideas for ways to strengthen sanctions and increase their effectiveness.

In particular, the importance of secondary sanctions against states, individuals or legal entities that contribute to Russia's aggression or help the Russian Federation to circumvent restrictions. Michael McFol's co -chairman Michael McFol noted that experts are actively working on secondary sanctions and are ready to discuss various ideas, including parliamentarians. "We all have one priority task - to stop the terrible Putin invasion of your country," he said.