Zelenskyy signs NSDC decision on sanctions against UOC

On 24 January 2023, President Zelenskyy enacted a decision of the National Security and Defence Council on sanctions against ten representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Presidential Decree No. 43/2023 is published on the website of the President of Ukraine.

The list of persons against whom sanctions were imposed was printed in the annex to the decision of the NSDC.

1. Vadym Novinsky, deacon of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
2. Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed), abbot of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
3. Metropolitan Lazar (Shvets) of Simferopol and Crimea.
4. Metropolitan Elisey of Izium and Kupiansk of the UOC (dismissed by the Synod of the UOC).
5. Bishop Metropolitan Joseph of Romny and Buryn (dismissed by the Synod of the UOC).
6. Bishop Agafon (Opanasenko) of Koktebel.
7. Metropolitan Platon (Udovenko), head of the Theodosia Eparchy.
8. Bishop Kalinnik of Bakhchisaray, Vicar of the Simferopol Eparchy.
9. Bishop Alexiy of Dzhankoy and Razdolnoye, head of the Dzhankoy Eparchy.
10. Archbishop Arkadiy of Rovenky and Sverdlovsk, head of the Rovenky Eparchy.

The sanctions include: blocking assets, restricting trade operations, limiting, partial or complete cessation of transit of resources, flights and transportation through Ukraine, preventing the transfer of capital outside Ukraine, etc.

Also, the possibility of leasing state property by residents of a foreign state and persons directly or indirectly controlled by residents of a foreign state or acting in their interests is prohibited.

A complete ban is imposed on transactions in securities issued by sanctioned individuals.

Sanctioned persons must cease cultural exchange, scientific cooperation, educational and sporting contacts with foreign states and foreign legal entities.

The sanctions are imposed for a period of 5 years.

As reported, Zelenskyy put into effect the NSDC decision on restrictive measures against the UOC.