Under the direction of the authorities, the Poroshenko Foundation and the “Sprava Hromad” NGO are being asked for explanations about their significant spending on support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Source: Bukvy
This was reported by civic activist, co-founder of the “Sprava Hromad” NGO Vitaliy Haydukivych and executive director of the Poroshenko Foundation Olga Rybalka. According to the report, the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) directed this inquiry to the International Investment Bank, where the accounts of both organizations are held. Consequently, the bank was compelled to send corresponding letters to the NGO and the Poroshenko Foundation.
It is noted that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Poroshenko Foundation and “Sprava Hromad” have provided drones, equipment, and supplies worth over 7 billion UAH to the military. Rybalka stated that the pressure on MIB and the Poroshenko Foundation significantly hinders their ability to assist the army. She reminded that the Foundation does not collect donations from people and is financed solely by the Poroshenko family’s funds.
“We find the inquiries strange, asking why money from the Poroshenko family’s enterprises is coming to our accounts. We are also asked why we finance defense enterprises. Why do we fund the production of unmanned aerial vehicles? The Foundation finances the defense industry – in particular, the production of electronic warfare systems and counter-surveillance technologies. This is fully in line with Ukrainian law. We also finance the development of innovative military technologies,” Rybalka noted.
Meanwhile, Vitaliy Haydukivych, co-founder of the “Sprava Hromad” NGO, emphasized, “We would like to understand which law states that helping the army is a crime, and which regulatory act says that increasing support for the Armed Forces is also a violation of the law.”
“They asked us why we spend money on the Armed Forces and why the donations increased in the spring of 2023. The reason is that the state did not fulfill its task. This need, in this case, FPV, was a basic requirement for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the spring of 2023. This was not the first instance; at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the state failed to supply the army with vehicles, including four-wheel-drive trucks. “Sprava Hromad,” with the help of the Poroshenko Foundation, purchased nearly 300 four-wheel-drive trucks, repaired, restored, and delivered them,” Haydukivych explained.
He continued, “The same applies to mobile repair shops, tire repair units, and other positions requested by our beneficiaries. For this reason, the logic of the question is unclear – why did we increase our assistance? Because the country is at war, and the needs of the army do not decrease.”
People’s Deputy Nina Yuzhanina noted that involving the National Bank of Ukraine in political persecution of the opposition is unacceptable and threatens the financial stability of the state.
“There is a loss of trust among investors and international partners. When the National Bank begins to carry out political orders and participates in the persecution of opposition politicians, it signals an increase in political pressure on the economy. This poses risks to the rule of law. It undermines the guarantees of private property protection,” Yuzhanina stated.
She emphasized that when the National Bank conducts unfair and selective regulation of banks, it causes panic among depositors.
“Thus, the National Bank, with its own hands, wants to liquidate or suspend, or drive to bankruptcy not the owners of the bank, but the citizens who are clients of the bank,” Yuzhanina warned.
Lawyer Ilya Novikov pointed out that in its desire to harm the opposition leader, the government is endangering not only the financial stability and reputation of Ukraine but also the lives of soldiers on the front line. Novikov believes that the Security Service of Ukraine should investigate who and for what motives signed the relevant requests to MIB regarding the financing of the Armed Forces.
“They are simultaneously targeting all structures related to Poroshenko. This means they are willing to let others pay the price, such as reducing supplies to the Armed Forces, including drones. Because drones, as everyone understands now, are life. If you have fewer drones, you lose soldiers. They are ready to pay for this, they are ready to compromise the National Bank of Ukraine and the State Financial Monitoring Service. In the context of pressure on funds leading to a reduction in aid to the Armed Forces, this already amounts to what is called treason. If you intentionally take actions that reduce the number of drones, it is the same as sabotage and aiding the enemy,” Novikov commented.
He assured that appropriate measures would be taken.
“We take this very seriously. We will take certain steps, we will raise the issue with the Security Service of Ukraine regarding the official at the National Bank of Ukraine who signed the relevant documents, and we will ensure this activity is investigated. At least we will raise this question and see what the response from law enforcement agencies will be,” the lawyer emphasized.
For her part, Yuzhanina called on the authorities to stop violating the legislation.
“I appeal to the head of the National Bank, the head of the Financial Monitoring Service – stop violating the law. You are doing things that will bring only negative results for the country. We must understand that the war continues, and we need to support our Armed Forces. I hope you will change your policy and act in accordance with the legislation. Do not exceed your powers, because you will have to answer for your actions,” she urged.
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