The Friday meeting of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine chaired by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed a number of topical issues in the spheres of economic, military, and state security.
The first issue on the agenda – the implementation of state policy in the field of state border protection – was considered in secret. On behalf of the President of Ukraine, this issue will be further elaborated and submitted to the NSDC of Ukraine in two weeks.
Given the possible facts of dual (multiple) citizenship among persons authorized to perform state or local government functions, the NSDC of Ukraine considered the issue of additional measures to coordinate the implementation of state policy in the field of citizenship.
Members of the NSDC of Ukraine noted that dual (multiple) citizenship of such persons may create preconditions for the latter to use their powers to the detriment of Ukraine’s national interests, which threatens the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the state. Moreover, dual (multiple) citizenship indirectly causes such persons to have a conflict of interest, which may affect the objectivity or impartiality of their government decisions. This situation is a direct violation of the Law of Ukraine “On Prevention of Corruption”.
Secretary of the NSDC of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov noticed that the main measures to combat the use of dual (multiple) citizenship as a tool for interfering in the internal affairs of Ukraine, encroachment on independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the state were determined by the NSDC decision of February 26, this year. Among other things, the decision envisages the restriction on holding positions related to the performance of state or local government functions by persons who have acquired citizenship (citizenship) of a foreign state, and the submission by applicants for such positions of declarations of non-dual citizenship, as well as documents entitling to permanent residence in the territory of another state.
In addition, Mr. Danilov stressed that the absence of dual (multiple) citizenship of such persons should be constantly monitored. “It’s about the proper protection of Ukraine’s interests”, - he said.
In this regard, members of the NSDC of Ukraine instructed the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to develop amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Prevention of Corruption” to reflect in the declaration of a person authorized to perform state or local government functions information on the absence of dual (multiple) citizenship and documents that give the right to permanent residence in another state.
At the meeting on Friday, at the initiative of the President of Ukraine, the NSDC of Ukraine also paid attention to the issue of stimulating the search, mining, and processing of minerals that are of strategic importance for the economy and defense capabilities of the state. Among other things, the following is envisaged: drawing up a list of metallic ores and non-metallic minerals of strategic importance (total number – 37); approval by the Government of the list of subsoil areas (deposits) of minerals that are of strategic importance and its annual update; development by the Government of the State target economic program for developing the titanium industry of Ukraine; resolving issues in the field of subsoil use, etc.
The NSDC decision also imposed sanctions on 15 individuals and 53 legal entities.
The NSDC of Ukraine also considered the admission of units of the armed forces of other states to the territory of Ukraine in 2021 to participate in the multinational exercises “United Efforts-2021” and “Independence Unites-2021”.
“Such steps are necessary to deter Russia’s aggression and for the international community to demonstrate support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”, - the NSDC Secretary said.
According to Mr. Danilov, units of the armed forces of the partner countries will take part in the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence.
Members of the NSDC of Ukraine also paid attention to the Law on the Prevention of Threats to National Security Related to the Excessive Influence of Persons who have Significant Economic or Political Weight in Public Life (Oligarchs), adopted in the first reading.
The President of Ukraine stressed that the mechanisms of ensuring the national security of Ukraine in the economic, political, and information spheres proposed by the draft Law require an effective system of monitoring the activities of such persons.
On the President’s instruction, the structure and procedure for monitoring persons who have significant economic or political weight in public life (oligarchs) should be developed by September 7.
Also, to prevent the spread of Delta and Lambda variants of the SARS CoV-2 coronavirus on the territory of Ukraine, the National Security Council considered the proposals of the Minister of Health on additional anti-epidemic measures.
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