On April 12, 2025, Ukraine’s President officially signed a new decree, known as Decree No. 231/2025, to enforce sanctions on Yanukovych Era elites.
Sanctions Strike Yanukovych Era Officials
These people held high positions in Ukraine in Yanukovych era or owned large businesses. The action follows a decision made by the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC). The reason behind these sanctions is their reported ties with Russia and involvement during past political regimes.
The sanctions apply to a former national bank chief, a former head of the presidential administration, a former businessman who owned large shopping and electronics properties, and a former banking partner. All of them were part of or associated with the government when it was led by a previous president.
Under the sanctions, their assets inside Ukraine will be frozen. That means they will no longer be able to access or use their money or property in the country.
They will also not be allowed to do any kind of business inside Ukraine anymore. If they ever received any awards from the Ukrainian state, those awards will be taken away too.
These actions were taken to show that the Ukrainian government is not allowing people with connections to Russia to influence the country’s economy or politics. Officials believe these people were using their positions or wealth to support interests that could harm Ukraine.
Who Is Behind the Decision
The NSDC played a big role in making the list of who should be sanctioned. The council is responsible for national security matters in Ukraine. Once the NSDC made its decision, it was up to the president to sign and make it official. The moment the decree was published on the president’s website, it became legally valid and enforceable.
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The Secretary of the NSDC has now been assigned to monitor how these sanctions are being applied. This means the council will make sure that the decisions are not just words on paper, but that action is being taken to block the people named in the decree from using assets or conducting business.
To carry out these sanctions properly, many departments have been asked to work together. These include the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Cabinet of Ministers, and the National Bank of Ukraine. Also, a special office under the President, which deals with awards and medals, will make sure state honors are removed.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also been given a job. They are to inform other countries such as the United States and members of the European Union about these new sanctions. Ukraine wants these countries to consider placing similar sanctions on the same people. That way, the individuals won’t just be blocked in Ukraine, but in other countries too.
Names Listed in the Sanctions
The sanctions target officials from the era of former President Viktor Yanukovych — former Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine and former First Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Arbuzov, as well as former First Deputy Prime Minister, former NSDC Secretary, and former Head of the Presidential Administration Andriy Klyuyev.
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In addition to these two former officials, the list also includes a well-known businessman. He was the owner of a major shopping and entertainment center in Kyiv as well as a large electronics chain. His businesses were widely known, and he was considered a major player in the retail and property sector durning Yanukovych era.
The last person on the list was connected to the banking world. She was involved with a financial company and held shares in a well-known bank. Her company has also been previously sanctioned.
Reports suggest that all these individuals had some kind of connection to Russia or were active during the time when Ukraine had a pro-Russian Yanukovych government. Authorities now believe that they should not continue to benefit from their past positions or wealth inside Ukraine.
Just a day earlier, the President had approved another round of sanctions aimed at people spreading war messages from Russia and those linked to Russia’s secret fleet. These recent sanctions seem to be part of a broader effort by the Ukrainian government to stop any influence that is seen as harmful or dangerous during ongoing tensions.
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These actions show a firm stance taken by the Ukrainian leadership against those they believe may have supported or benefited from past policies that were too close to Russian interests. By removing their access to assets, honors, and the ability to conduct business, Ukraine is making it clear that such connections are not acceptable now.
