Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Seventh Report - Guns for gold: the Wagner Network exposed
Foreign Affairs Committee
HC 167
Published 26 July 2023
Recommendations
17
Accepted in Part
Expedite and strengthen sanctions against all Wagner-linked individuals and entities, closing enforcement gaps.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government move faster and harder in sanctioning Wagner- linked individuals and entities. Specifically, it should: (Paragraph 58) (a) Sanction all individuals and entities provided in Appendix 1, which the United States and European Union have already …
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Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, highlighting recent designations of 13 Wagner-linked individuals and businesses in July, some of which were not targeted by the EU or US. It explains that the UK's sanctioning ability depends on building individual cases under its own statutory requirements and it will consider the committee's analysis in detail for future action, implying a selective approach to additional sanctions rather than a blanket acceptance of Appendix 1.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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19
Accepted in Part
Para 60
Prioritise introducing and enforcing travel bans for Wagner-linked individuals, collaborating with Turkey.
Recommendation
We further recommend that the Government prioritises introducing and enforcing travel bans for Wagner-linked individuals as a likely deterrent to involvement in the network, in particular working with Turkey, a popular holiday destination for Russians.
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Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees that travel bans have a deterrent effect but states that UK sanctions have limited impact on travel to Turkey. They commit to continuing discussions with international partners on possible sanctions or travel bans they could adopt.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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21
Accepted in Part
Para 61
Urgently assess compiled Wagner-linked names and impose sanctions if thresholds are met.
Recommendation
We implore the Government to urgently assess these names and impose sanctions on these individuals and entities if the necessary threshold is met.
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, highlighting existing sanctions against the Wagner Group and its former leader, and recent designations of 13 individuals and businesses. It notes the limitations of its sanctions regime and will consider the committee's provided analysis for further action.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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24
Accepted in Part
Para 69
Declassify and share intelligence on Wagner Network's destabilising effects with engaging countries.
Recommendation
As the Government improves its intelligence on the network, it should declassify it strategically and share it with countries that are considering engaging with the Wagner Network, to demonstrate the organisation’s destabilising effects, following the lead of the United States …
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Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees on the potential value of declassification and sharing intelligence but notes it's not always possible due to risks. It states that it has already stepped up communication channels to expose Wagner's activities to demonstrate its destabilising effects.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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30
Accepted in Part
Para 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 …
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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.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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37
Accepted in Part
Para 88
Set out steps to strengthen international legal framework governing PMCs and accountability.
Recommendation
In its response, the Government should set out the steps that it will take to strengthen the international legal framework governing PMCs’ activities, drawing on the UK’s deep legal expertise. Its response should address the following aspects: (Paragraph 88) 58 …
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Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation, agreeing on the need for clarification on definitions and actively participating in UN discussions to develop a workable framework, though rejecting the UN Mercenaries Convention in its current form. It fully agrees on improving accountability for Wagner fighters, supporting ICC investigations with £2.5 million funding, and promoting state accountability through continued engagement with the Montreux Document and IGWG discussions.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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Conclusions (1)
2
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
Para 15
The Wagner Network is highly opportunistic and not a straightforward proxy for Russia, even though the Russian state has sometimes directed, facilitated, and supported its military operations, notably in Libya and Ukraine. Even when the network has acted purely in its own economic interests, Russia is likely to have benefited …
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees with the committee's analysis of the Wagner Network, outlining its ongoing use of sanctions to deter and disrupt malign Wagner activity, including recent designations of 13 individuals and businesses involved in Mali, CAR, and Sudan, and will consider the committee's analysis for further action.