The European Union believes that Viktor Yanukovych, living in Russia, plays ” a role in undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine “.
In a statement published Thursday, August 4 in the official journal of the EU, member countries accuse the former Ukrainian president of plotting to try to return to power in Ukraine if the Russian invasion succeeds in overthrowing President Volodymyr Zelensky.
” According to various sources, Mr. Viktor Yanukovych was part of a Russian special operation to replace the Ukrainian president with him, during the early stages of the illegal military aggression against Ukraine “, indicates the newspaper.
His son Oleksandr was also placed under sanction for the same reason and for having “ made transactions with separatist groups in the Donbass region “. The 49-year-old is accused of having enriched himself through connections in his father’s former regime and of owning businesses and real estate in the ” republics self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk territories controlled by pro-Russian forces in the Donbass.
As sanctioned persons, Viktor Yanukovych and his son will be subject to an EU visa ban and a freeze on any assets held in EU countries.
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