The Kharkiv Pact: the SBI reported suspicion of high treason to the former Minister of defense for supporting the occupation of the AR Crimea
The SBI employees reported suspicion of high treason to the former Minister of Defense of Ukraine Mykhailo Yezhe, who contributed to the russian federation's occupation of the AR Crimea by signing the Kharkiv Pact.
The Admiral, who at that time was the Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces of Ukraine and understood all the risks of the continued presence of the russian navy on the territory of Ukraine, has approved the complete set of documents necessary for the implementation of the Treaty between Ukraine and the russian federation on the presence of the russian navy on the territory of Ukraine since April 21st , 2010, i.e. the Kharkiv Pact.
The Minister of Defense of Ukraine has approved these documents without even attending the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on April 21st, 2010, where they were discussed, and also without conducting mandatory legal expertise on the compliance of the Pact with the Constitution and the laws of Ukraine.
As the result, the conditions for the prolongation of the presence of the russian black sea navy on the territory of Ukraine for 25 years were created which contributed to the increase of military equipment and personnel of the armed forces of the russian federation, to the modernization and replacement of the Navy`s ship structure, aircrafts, the main armaments of the russian federation's black sea navy. All of those were deployed on the territory of Ukraine and were used during the annexation of the AR Crimea and Sevastopol in 2014, instead of their reduction and withdrawal from the territory of Ukraine according to the basic conditions of the Agreements.
The former minister is suspected of committing treason by a group of persons upon prior conspiracy (Part 2 of Article 28, Part 1 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The criminal proceeding is being carried out by the procedural guidance of the Prosecutor General’s Office.
It is known that on April 21st, 2010, Viktor Yanukovych on behalf of Ukraine signed the agreement between Ukraine and the russian federation in Kharkiv. This document extended the term of the presence of the russian black sea navy in Sevastopol for 25 years. It was done in order to receive a discount on natural gas.
In 2021, Viktor Yanukovych and Mykola Azarov were already notified of suspicion of high treason and were put on the wanted list.
In July 2022, the former Justice and Foreign Affairs Ministers were notified of suspicion of committing high treason during the drafting, negotiation, signing, ratification, and implementation of the Kharkiv Pact.
The role of other officials in assisting the aggressor state in infringement of sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability, defense system, state and economic security of Ukraine in this way is verified.
Investigation actions are underway.
The State Bureau of Investigation continues systematic work on documenting crimes against the foundations of national security of Ukraine by former high-ranking officials, who contributed to the occupation of the AR of Crimea and Sevastopol. The SBI emphasizes that crimes against the foundations of national security have no statute of limitations.