On 14
August, the Verkhovna Rada
of Ukraine passed a bill on sanctions. The corresponding decision saw 244 votes
in favor.
Ukraine’s
PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk stressed that this is a framework bill that "provides the
right for the Ukrainian state to protect its national
interests."
"In case
of a threat to the national security of the Ukrainian state, the Ukrainian
President through the National Security and Defense Council shall have the
right to impose a range of sanctions such as those imposed by our Western
partners, the EU, USA and G7," stated
the PM.
Before the
vote, the Prime Minister informed that some controversial articles, including the
possibility of the restriction and prohibition of postal services, ban and restriction
on TV and radio broadcasts, restriction or termination of media activities, restriction
and ban on the production of the printed media, and other information materials,
were withdrawn from the list of sanctions envisaged by the bill.
"We
believe that such decisions can be taken only by the courts of Ukraine in
accordance with the laws as well as the Constitution," underlined Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
Also the
comments of MPs concerning the range of entities liable to sanctions have been taken
into account. "Sanctions may be applied by Ukraine to foreign states, businesses
and non-resident individuals that are under the control of these people".
The Parliament
has introduced a proposal that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine shall have the authority to approve a President’s
decree on the introduction of sanctions, if such a decree is adopted in
relation to a country or to an indefinite range of entities.
"If
the decree is accepted, as we now propose, on the application of sanctions against
specific individuals and legal entities - and the Government has prepared a
list of 172 Russian citizens and citizens of other countries that undermine the
territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine, and 65 mostly Russian
companies that finance terrorism and supported the annexation of the Crimea – then
such a decree should be adopted by a decision of the National Security and
Defence Council," noted Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
He stressed
that the law on sanctions, which has been adopted today, is aimed at protecting
the Ukraine, it gives a clear answer to any aggressors, terrorists that pose a
threat to national security, the Ukrainian state as well as Ukrainians.
As a
reminder, today, the Parliament has adopted a law on the reform of Ukraine’s GTS, which envisages the modernization and operation of Ukrainian
GTS along with European and American partners.
The Prime
Minister of Ukraine thanked the MPs for effective and harmonious work and stressed
that "today, Ukraine has taken a step toward energy independence and defended
itself."