Ukraine Passes Bill on Sanctions

Ukraine passed a bill on sanctions, with PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk welcoming the decision saying that it “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,” Yatsenyuk said on Thursday.  

The bill gives the Ukrainian President the power to approve sanctions against foreign states, business and non-resident individuals that are “under the control of these people.”

‘(Yatsenyuk) 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,’ the government wrote on its website. 

The parliament also adopted a law to change the modus operandi of Ukrainian GTS. 

Last week, Yatsenyuk announced the Government’s intention to push forward with sanctions. The final version of the bill was a softer version. 

‘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of media activities, restriction and ban on the production of the printed media, and other information materials, were withdrawn from the list of sanctions envisaged by the bill.’