Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 30
30
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 74
Restrict flow of arms to Wagner Network and share intelligence with host governments.
Recommendation
We recommend that the UK Government takes advantage of the current uncertainty and seeks to disrupt the Wagner Network. In particular, at a moment when its usual supply channels from the Russian Ministry of Defence are in doubt, the Government should do all within its power to restrict the flow of arms and other military equipment to the Wagner Network, to reduce the viability of future combat operations. The UK Government should also share intelligence with host Governments to demonstrate the ineffectiveness of the Wagner Network and to demonstrate how it is a tool of enrichment for the Russian state.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to disrupt the Wagner Network, stating it has increased efforts in communications, assessment, and policy coordination, and will consider further sanctions designations and continue work with partners to improve sanctions enforcement and counter illicit finance.
Paragraph Reference:
74
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Agree. 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. 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. 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.