According to the SBI materials, two former ministers from the presiding time of Yanukovych were notified of suspicion for preparation of the Kharkiv Agreements

The State Bureau of Investigation continues its systematic work to document crimes against the foundations of national security of Ukraine by the former high-ranking officials who contributed to the occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol. The SBI points out that crimes against the foundations of national security do not have a time limit.

SBI investigators collected evidence to hold two former ministers criminally liable for committing high treason during project draft development, settlement, signing, ratification and implementation of the Agreement between Ukraine and the russian federation on the stay of the russian federation's black sea fleet on the territory of Ukraine from June 21, 2010, i.e., the Kharkiv Pact.

The Deputy Prosecutor General signed a notice of suspicion against the former Minister of Justice. Also, at the prosecutor's approval, the investigators of the SBI notified the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine of suspicion.

According to operational information, the suspects are staying abroad, that is why the charges were filed in absentia.

The pre-trial investigation revealed that the content and terms of the Kharkiv Pact were imposed by russian president dmitry medvedev on the then Prime Minister of Ukraine. Fully aware of the consequences of signing this agreement, the former Prime Minister of Ukraine and the appointed ministers created conditions for the continuation of the stay of the russian black sea fleet on the territory of Ukraine for 25 years. This contributed to the increase of military equipment and special forces of the aggressor state, which were used during the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol in 2014.

The former ministers participated in the preparation of the draft of this agreement, including the Cabinet Order on its approval and the draft of the Law of Ukraine on the ratification of this agreement.

It should be noted that by Part 3 Article 4 of the Law of Ukraine "On International Treaties of Ukraine" the draft of the Treaty did not even pass legal expertise before its signing.

The former ministers are suspected of high treason - actions in the interests of the russian federation to the detriment of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability, defense, state, and economic security of Ukraine.

As is known, on April 21, 2010 in Kharkiv, president Viktor Yanukovych signed on behalf of Ukraine the agreement between Ukraine and the russian federation. This document extended the term of the stay of the russian black sea fleet in Sevastopol for 25 years. It was done to receive a discount on natural gas.

In 2021, Viktor Yanukovych and Mykola Azarov have already been notified of the suspicion of committing high treason and declared wanted.
The investigation is ongoing.