Government endorses decision to introduce sectoral sanctions against Syria

The relevant statement was made by the Ukrainian Economy Ministry, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The relevant decision was endorsed at a meeting of the Ukrainian government on April 7, 2023. The proposals were previously considered and recommended for submission to the NSDC by the Interagency Working Group on the Implementation of the State Sanctions Policy, chaired by Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister - Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko.

“The involvement of Syrian vessels in the illegal export of grain from the occupied territory of Ukraine, the ‘recognition’ of the so-called ‘DPR’ and ‘LPR’, the supply of weapons to Russia that are used in committing aggression against Ukraine, and the Syrian leadership’s full support for Putin’s regime. The list of unfriendly steps taken by the Syrian Arab Republic towards Ukraine is endless. […] Today, the Government has proposed a final tough but absolutely adequate response to Syria’s position – the imposition of sectoral sanctions against the country for a period of 50 years,” Svyrydenko noted.

Therefore, the issue of economic relations with Syria will be terminated for a long time, according to Svyrydenko.

The Government’s decision provides for the following sanctions: restrictions on trade operations in terms of a ban on export-import operations with residents of the Syrian Arab Republic, processing operations with enterprises resident in the SAR, and a ban on investments in Syria; complete cessation of transit of resources, flights and transportations by residents of the SAR through the territory of Ukraine; suspension of economic and financial obligations in favor of SAR residents, prevention of their withdrawal of capital from Ukraine; prohibition of registration by the NBU of an international payment system operated by a resident of the SAR, suspension of servicing of electronic payment instruments (including transfers, settlements and cash withdrawals) issued by residents of the Syrian Arab Republic.

Additionally, the transfer of technologies and intellectual property rights to residents of the Syrian Arab Republic will be prohibited, and a ban will be imposed on the entry of non-military vessels and warships flying the flag of the SAR into the territorial sea of Ukraine, its inland waters and ports.

The sanctions proposed by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine will come into force after the NSDC adopts a corresponding decision, the President of Ukraine enacts it and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approves it.

A reminder that, on March 28, 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine endorsed the draft law on the termination of the intergovernmental agreement between Ukraine and Syria on trade, economic, and technical cooperation.