The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has approved the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) to impose sanctions against the former head of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), Serhiy Arbuzov, ex-MP Serhiy Klyuev, entrepreneur Viktor Polishchuk, and the shareholder and head of the Supervisory Board of IBOX BANK, Alona Shevtsova.
This is reported by Kyiv24
The corresponding decree No. 231/2025 has been published on the president’s website. The document states that the duration of the sanctions is indefinite. The individuals subject to restrictions will face measures such as the deprivation of state awards of Ukraine, asset blocking, prohibition on conducting trade operations, prohibition on capital withdrawal outside Ukraine, as well as restrictions on participation in the privatization and lease of state property.
Background of the Figures Under Sanctions
Serhiy Arbuzov served as the head of the NBU from December 2010 to January 2013, and also acted as the Prime Minister of Ukraine from late January to the end of February 2014. After the victory of the Revolution of Dignity in May 2014, he was declared wanted. Arbuzov is suspected of abusing his official position, which led to the misappropriation of 220 million hryvnias of NBU assets. He has also been included in the sanctions lists of the European Union.
Serhiy Klyuev, a former deputy who belonged to the Party of Regions, also became the target of sanctions from several Western countries after leaving the party in March 2014. In January 2016, the Council authorized his arrest due to suspicions of illegal actions related to the acquisition of the “Mezhyhirya” residence during Viktor Yanukovych’s presidency. Klyuev is currently reported to be outside Ukraine, allegedly in Russia.
Sanctions Against Businessmen
Investigations by journalists from “Schemes” (Radio Liberty) revealed that businessman Viktor Polishchuk, owner of the “Gulliver” shopping and entertainment center and the “Eldorado” chain, did not repay debts to state banks throughout 2022, citing financial difficulties. Meanwhile, his companies continued to purchase luxury cars for significant amounts. Polishchuk did not respond to journalists’ inquiries regarding his debts.
“Schemes” published an investigation indicating financial violations by the businessman.
In June 2024, the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv ruled to transfer the property of the “Gulliver” shopping center to the management of the National Agency of Ukraine for the Detection and Management of Assets Acquired through Corruption Crimes. In March 2025, the court allowed for a special pre-trial investigation in the case of Alona Shevtsova, who, according to the investigation, organized a money laundering scheme for illegal online casinos by creating over 20 fictitious companies.