Ukraine’s Zelenskiy hires U.S. law firm for sanctions advice

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses the associates of Danish Parliament by way of video url, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine proceeds, in Kyiv, Ukraine March 29, 2022. Ukrainian Presidential Press Provider/Handout through REUTERS

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WASHINGTON, March 30 (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s office has hired an American legislation organization to recommend on Western sanctions imposed right after Russia’s invasion and assistance interact with U.S. officers on policy matters, according to a filing with the U.S. Justice Division.

San Francisco-primarily based Morrison & Foerster will counsel Zelenskiy’s business on regulatory issues “which includes U.S., EU and United kingdom sanctions regimes,” John Smith, a husband or wife in the company, reported in the Monday filing.

Smith led the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Belongings Manage (OFAC), which oversees American sanctions, prior to signing up for Morrison & Foerster in 2018. Smith stated in the filing that Morrison & Foerster will accomplish the work at no cost to Ukraine.

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The United States, European Union and Britain have imposed a collection of sanctions concentrating on Russia, its fiscal establishments, oligarchs and parliament considering that Russia invaded Ukraine last month. The filing did not make clear whether there are particular sanctions about which the firm will offer guidance.

The company said it will support Zelenskiy have interaction with U.S. officers on evolving coverage issues, but did not deliver particulars.

Smith did not quickly react to a request for comment.

U.S. legislation needs law companies, lobbyists and others to disclose specified advocacy operate for overseas purchasers. Morrison & Foerster has not beforehand registered to signify a foreign entity, in accordance to the U.S. Overseas Agents Registration Act database.

Ukraine’s government has employed at the very least two other U.S. regulation corporations next the Russian invasion.

Covington & Burling, headquartered in Washington, is symbolizing Ukraine prior to the International Court docket of Justice, obtaining a ruling this thirty day period instructing Russia to quit its military services functions. Lawyers at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, founded in Los Angeles, are representing Ukraine in advance of the European Court docket of Human Rights in a circumstance accusing Russia of human legal rights abuses.

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Reporting by Jacqueline Thomsen and Mike Scarcella in Washington
Editing by Will Dunham and David Bario

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