Tetiana Khutor, head of the Institute of Legislative Ideas, explained on Ukrainian radio how sanctions policy works in Ukraine and why it is important for national security

Since 2015, Ukraine has imposed sanctions not only on foreigners but also on its citizens, primarily those who contribute to armed aggression against the state. This is an effective deterrent that allows the state to influence individuals who are beyond its territory. Sanctions include asset freezes, restrictions on activities, and travel bans.

“Sanctions do not produce immediate results, but they are strategically important and allow us to reduce the resources of those who contribute to aggression against Ukraine,” said Tetiana Khutor.

She noted that during the war, sanctions mechanisms have taken on new forms, including the adoption in 2022 of a law allowing the confiscation of assets of sanctioned individuals through the High Anti-Corruption Court. However, large cases in this area are often delayed.

At the same time, chairwoman of the organization emphasized the risks of abuse: if sanctions are applied for political reasons, the sanctions mechanism can be used as a tool of political control rather than legal influence. It is therefore necessary to ensure the independence of the judiciary and respect for the rule of law in the adoption and enforcement of sanctions decisions.

The full interview with Tetiana Khutor is available here.