In a significant policy shift, the Ukrainian government has decided to discontinue the "International Sponsors of War" list previously hosted on the website of the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (NAPC), following feedback from international partners. This move, announced by the Cabinet of Ministers' press service, marks a critical juncture in Ukraine's diplomatic and sanctions enforcement strategies.
The decision emerged from an extensive meeting involving the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), NAPC, the Prosecutor General's Office, and ambassadors from partner countries. The discussion focused on the operational aspects of the "International Sponsors of War" page, scrutinizing its impact on Ukraine's efforts to combat Russian aggression.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted concerns raised by the diplomatic community regarding the lack of a legal framework underpinning the list, as well as its potentially adverse effects on decision-making processes aimed at countering Russian aggression. Furthermore, the Ministry of Justice underscored the inappropriateness of disseminating such information by the state without legislative support. The NSDC representatives pointed out that the existing state sanctions policy infrastructure is sufficient, as all necessary information is already included in the State Sanctions Registry.
Concurring with these observations, NAPC acknowledged the need to reconsider the list's future functionality. The discussions led to a consensus on several proposals from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Economic Development, NSDC, and NAPC. A notable outcome is the decision to transfer information from the list to an Interdepartmental Working Group on the implementation of state sanctions policy. This group will evaluate the basis for imposing sanctions on the entities listed and prepare recommendations for the NSDC's consideration.
Users seeking information on the "International Sponsors of War" will now be redirected to the NSDC's "State Sanctions Registry" website. This change is aimed at ensuring accurate and unified communication regarding the official list of entities subject to sanctions in Ukraine. The Cabinet of Ministers emphasizes this step as essential for maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of Ukraine's sanctions policy, ensuring that it remains a robust tool in the nation's defense against external aggression.
