Yanukovych’s money was found in the UK, but their return can take a lot of time

In the UK, they found money that could be illegally exported by the surrounding the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych. On the issue of the return of these funds, both countries work closely, and there is already a certain progress in this process. At the end of April, London will host an international practical conference regarding the return of assets to which representatives of the Ukrainian authorities are invited. About this, according to UNIAN , said at a briefing in Kiev, the UK Ambassador to Ukraine Simon Smith.

“I cannot tell specific details, but several specific cases have already been identified, where the prospects for determining the assets that can be returned are very good. We all understand that this is only the beginning,” Smith noted.

According to him, several specific cases have already been identified by "the prospect of determining origin and the return of assets is very good." At the same time, the British diplomat emphasized that work to return assets is a complex process that can take a lot of time.

The investigation will continue in world financial centers with tax benefits for foreign capital, in particular on the British Virgin Islands and Gibraltar.

Britain on March 7 in parallel with the EU decision on the imposition of sanctions against 18 Ukrainians, including Viktor Yanukovych, announced intentions to freeze their assets and conduct an appropriate investigation with the subsequent return of the illegally assigned funds to Ukraine. For this, the British authorities sent experts from financial intelligence to Kyiv. There are also representatives of the US Ministry of Justice and the FBI for consultations on issues of returning to the country of assets of representatives of the previous government.

The ambassador also informed reporters that the UK is considering the possibility of strengthening sanctions against the Russian Federation if it can be seen that the Russian Federation carries out actions aimed at strengthening tension in the eastern regions of Ukraine, and does not take steps to de -escalate the situation.