If anyone thinks that the unconstitutional and illegal sanctions imposed exactly a year ago were a blow to me personally, they are mistaken.
This was a blow to democracy. A blatant abuse of the powers that the government received under martial law. Actions that had nothing to do with the protection and defense of the state.
Ukraine did not become stronger because of these sanctions. On the contrary, internal unity was undermined. Damage was done to international reputation. A blow was dealt to defense capability: illegal restrictions against donor enterprises of my charitable foundation significantly reduced military assistance.
The sanctions mechanism, created to fight Ukraine’s enemies, is completely discredited. Sanctions now are not only a tool of crude political pressure and opposition struggle, as in my case, but also dirty business.
For money, they can be imposed—even without grounds. For money, they may not be imposed—even when there are grounds. For money, they can be lifted or simply “forgotten” to be continued. At least five participants of last year’s NSDC meeting are subjects of NABU’s corruption investigations.
In a year, the government has not been able to name a single fact that would justify the sanctions against me.
Not one!
This year, we have heard dozens of explanations in the style of “Quarter”. From stories about “some fund” supposedly “diverting” something somewhere, to the position of representatives of Bankova in the Supreme Court: sanctions are preventive. The President has the right. Period. That is, first we punish. Without trial and investigation. And the grounds — later. Perhaps.
But the last few months have shown another motive. The more the government talks about peace and the possibility of elections, the more obvious its desire to use sanctions as a tool to remove an opponent. Therefore, they resort to all sorts of truths, but mainly untruths, to delay the only possible legal decision of the Supreme Court — the sanctions are illegal.
Can there be elections without an opposition in a country that claims to become a member of the European Union? — A rhetorical question.
There is a way out, and it is simple. The President can, even without waiting for the Supreme Court’s decision, revoke his illegal decree.
This is not about me. It is about rules. Can a person in Ukraine be deprived of rights and freedoms without proven guilt, preventively? Can a presidential decree replace a court? Does the Constitution remain higher than political expediency, and hasn’t the pause on which Bankova has put the Basic Law lasted too long?!
