Ukraine sanctions pro-Kremlin oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk and his wife

Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) has imposed sanctions on Ukrainian oligarch and lawmaker Viktor Medvedchuk. 

Medvedchuk, who leads the pro-Russian party “Opposition Platform — For Life,” is considered an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin; reportedly, Putin is the godfather of Medvedchuk’s youngest daughter.

The sanctions are in connection with an ongoing investigation into financing terrorism being led by Ukraine’s Security Service (the SBU). According to NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov, Medvedchuk and his wife Oksana Marchenko have been included on a sanctions list, along with one other Ukrainian citizen, five Russian nationals, and 19 legal entities. These individuals will be under sanctions for a three-year period. 

In particular, the sanctions call for the seizure of assets belonging to Medvedchuk and Marchenko. However, Danilov didn’t outline the full range of restrictions, which will be set out in a decree from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The corresponding document has yet to appear on the Ukrainian president’s website. 

Commenting on the NSDC’s decision to RBC, Opposition Platform — For Life co-chairman Yury Boyko said “we’re still figuring it out.”

In early February, Ukraine’s President Zelensky imposed sanctions against lawmaker Taras Kozak and banned the three pro-Russian television channels that he owns (112 Ukraine, NewsOne, and ZIK). These channels are widely associated with Viktor Medvedchuk. According to media reports, he and Kozak also have joint business ventures.

Following the introduction of the sanctions, the Opposition Platform — For Life party announced plans to initiate impeachment procedures against President Zelensky.