Ilona Khmeleva, Secretary of the Economic Security Council of Ukraine, gave an interview to ISECS, where she heads the specially assembled Russia Working Group on sanctions against the Russian Federation. She shared how she began her journey in this field and explained why working on sanction policies against Russia requires constant vigilance and regular updates.
ISECS is the world's only public organization dedicated to issues of compliance with multilateral sanctions and export controls, as well as strengthening international and economic security.
Recently, ISECS created several separate working groups for different countries, including the ISECR-RWG for Russia, which addresses a wide range of topics related to international trade and Russia's activities, including sanctions, the activities of the Wagner Group, and sabotage committed by Russia.
In her interview, Ilona explained that her professional journey began with studying international public law, which laid the foundation for her understanding of the legal aspects of sanctions. Her studies continued at the University of Toronto, where she focused on sanctions against the Russian Federation. The events of 2014 were a turning point and the beginning of her work on developing the legal framework for Ukrainian sanctions in response to Russian aggression.
Ilona emphasized that the world's response to Russia's actions in 2014 was indecisive and weak, leading to further aggression. She highlighted that sanctions should be viewed not just as technical measures but as legal obligations to uphold international law, and that effective sanctions can prevent prolonged conflicts and the co-financing of terrorism.
Also, Ilona discussed her role at the Economic Security Council of Ukraine, where she works on more effective compliance with and implementation of sanctions. She stated that achieving these goals requires international partnership and clear coordination among countries. As the head of the ISECS Russia Working Group, Ilona is focused on raising awareness about the importance of sanctions in ensuring global security and preventing future conflicts. Her call to action is clear: the international community must support Ukraine not only in resisting aggression but also in achieving a decisive victory, ensuring the rule of international law and human rights.
Read the full interview on the ISECS website.