Ukraine, USA discuss strengthening sanctions policy against aggressor state

KYIV. Jan 13 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Head of the President’s Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and U.S. Department of State Sanctions Coordinator, Ambassador James O’Brien discussed via videoconference the strengthening of sanctions against individuals and entities that continue to support Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

"We focus on the most important people who have propaganda influence in Russia. In particular, those who personally participated in the annexation of Ukrainian territory. People who openly support the war in Ukraine. And some of them even say how many Ukrainians should be killed, how many attacks should be carried out against civilians and civilian infrastructure," Yermak is quoted by the website of the President of Ukraine.

Speaking about the strengthening of sanctions pressure on the aggressor, the head of the President’s Office emphasized the need to apply the sanctions developed by the Yermak-McFaul International Working Group, including against Russian propagandists.

According to him, it is unacceptable that most of these people can freely visit democratic countries such as the United States, Great Britain, the European Union, have property in the territory of these states and at the same time voice anti-Ukrainian propaganda on Russian television.

"Today it is propaganda from public figures that has the greatest impact on Russian society. And if these people travel freely around the world and are fine with supporting the war and killing of Ukrainians, it is a signal to all Russians that everything is fine. It should not be so," the Head of the President’s Office emphasized.

Yermak proposed to hold a sanctions summit with the participation of representatives of the United States and other partners of Ukraine in the coming months to analyze the effectiveness of the sanctions already imposed and coordinate steps to strengthen the sanctions pressure.

Ambassador James O’Brien emphasized that the working group at the U.S. Department of State, which consists of about 30 members, was studying in detail all the materials submitted by the Ukrainian government and the Yermack-McFaul group. According to him, the work in a number of important areas is being completed, and new sanctions are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Regarding the determination of priority areas in which restrictions will be implemented in the first place, James O’Brien noted that the benchmark would be the impact of these sanctions on Russia’s capabilities on the battlefield and financially. It is also important whether the person committed crimes against Ukrainian citizens, in particular children, was involved in the annexation of the territories of Ukraine, or propagated it. In addition, he expressed support for the initiative to hold a sanctions summit.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue close dialogue and coordination of the sanctions implementation process.