Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Accepted
Paragraph: 39
Government prioritises military support to Ukraine for countering the Wagner Network.
Conclusion
Supporting Ukraine militarily is the Government’s priority when it comes to countering the Wagner Network. We fully support the continued supply of defence assistance and wider support to Ukraine as it fights to liberate itself from Russian illegal occupation. Through this, the UK has enabled Ukrainian Armed Forces to challenge Wagner fighters directly, often resulting in a high rate of attrition.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the conclusion, welcoming the support for its priority. It outlines increased efforts to highlight Wagner's abuses, enhanced policy coordination, existing sanctions, and commits to consider further designations, improve sanctions enforcement, and explore additional measures to counter illicit finance.
Paragraph Reference:
39
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Agree. 33. We welcome the Committee’s recommendation and in recent months, we have increased our efforts to use the FCDO’s overseas network and strategic communications channels to highlight Wagner’s human rights’ abuses and its destabilising role. We have also stepped up our assessment and policy co-ordination with Western and regional partners. We plan to continue these activities following Prigozhin’s death – an event that may create new opportunities. 34. We use a variety of tools to disrupt Wagner and other Russian proxy PMSCs. They include short and long-term initiatives aimed at breaking the business model of proxy PMSCs. These are complemented by efforts to challenge the narrative that these groups are in any way beneficial, improve the multilateral and international response, and build capacity in countries that might be at risk. 35. We have already introduced sanctions against Wagner Group and certain affiliates and will consider if and where further designations might be appropriate. We will also continue to work with our partners to improve sanctions enforcement. In addition, Wagner Group also utilises illicit wealth networks, particularly connected to its operations in Sudan and the Central African Republic, moving gold and precious stones to third countries to be ‘washed’. The UK has long been a leader in international efforts to tackle illicit finance, and we are using established co-operation mechanisms to discuss what more we can do to counter it. NON-RUSSIAN PMSCS