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
26
Not Addressed
Set out factors for determining priority countries for UK security partnerships.
Recommendation
In its response to this report, the Government should set out the factors it will assess in determining whether countries are priorities for UK security partnerships. These factors should include (but not be limited to): (Paragraph 71) (a) the UK’s …
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Government Response Summary
The government describes its existing security partnerships and support for African countries but does not explicitly set out the specific factors it assesses when determining priority countries for UK security partnerships as requested.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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Conclusions (2)
3
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 17
Host governments and other non-regime actors must perceive benefits from engaging with the Wagner Network, because they consider it the most effective form of protection and security. There are examples of its fighters furthering a regime’s security objectives, even if this meant neutering political opposition.
Government Response Summary
The government's response begins by stating 'Disagree' but then discusses the importance of close coordination on sanctions with the EU and US, and later mentions travel bans, none of which directly address the committee's observation regarding host governments' perceptions of benefits from engaging with the Wagner Network.
16
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 57
The Minister had no specific knowledge of work within his Department to analyse whether Wagner activities undermine the financial impact of UK sanctions on the Russian war machine. Despite finding it “likely”, he could not confirm that the FCDO had had any input to HM Treasury’s unwise decision to issue …
Government Response Summary
The government's response outlines its general sanctions policy and recent designations against the Wagner Group but does not address the committee's specific concerns about ministerial knowledge, FCDO and Treasury coordination, or sanctions waivers for Prigozhin.