Over the years of full-scale war, Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly used personal sanctions as a tool of domestic security — and done so with maximum severity. Those targeted have varied widely: from businessman Hennadiy Korban, who was stripped of Ukrainian citizenship and effectively barred from re-entering the country, to Odesa mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov, who also lost his citizenship by presidential decree. Sanctions lists have included other influential figures — politicians, MPs, business leaders and regional power brokers whom the government at the time deemed a threat to the state. These decisions typically came with the full suite of restrictions: asset freezes, document annulments, and bans on transactions, travel and contacts.
Against this backdrop, the sanctions imposed on Timur Mindich and Oleksandr Zuckerman — a long-time associate of the president and his business partner — stand out as unusually mild. Both in duration (three years instead of the usual ten) and in substance: the list lacks visa and diplomatic restrictions, as well as bans on transactions, cultural or scientific contacts, which have routinely appeared in sanctions against other individuals. It is a contrast impossible to overlook — especially at a moment when the “Mindich tapes” affair has already become one of the year’s most politically sensitive stories.
Comparative Table of Sanctions Measures
Category of Sanctions
Previously
In the Case of Mindich and Zuckerman
Duration of sanctions
10 years (the standard long-term duration used in Zelensky’s decrees). In most cases, sanctions were imposed for the maximum period of ten years.
3 years (significantly shorter than usual; sanctions against Mindich and Zuckerman last three years instead of ten). For certain measures, such as the stripping of state honours, the decree sets an indefinite duration.
Revocation of Ukrainian citizenship
Yes, in some cases the president revoked the citizenship of sanctioned individuals. For example, by decree of 10 January 2023, Zelensky stripped Viktor Medvedchuk and three other MPs of their Ukrainian citizenship. This is an extreme measure applied to citizens accused of working against the state.
No. In the sanctions decree, Timur Mindich and Oleksandr Zuckerman are listed only as Israeli citizens; their Ukrainian citizenship is not mentioned. Restrictions designed for Ukrainian citizens (including citizenship revocation) are not formally applied. There is separate discussion of stripping Mindich of Ukrainian citizenship, but this has not happened as of the sanctions’ introduction.
Visa denial and entry bans to Ukraine
Yes, earlier sanctions included visa denial and bans on entering Ukraine. This primarily applied to individuals abroad or with dual citizenship.
No, the sanctions on Mindich and Zuckerman contain no provisions for visa refusal, visa annulment or entry bans. These restrictions are absent, highlighting the relative softness of these sanctions.
Cancellation of official visits and negotiations
Yes, previous sanctions packages for Ukrainian citizens included the cancellation of official visits, meetings and negotiations involving the sanctioned individual. In effect, all official state-level contacts were cut off.
No, the decree on Mindich and Zuckerman contains no restrictions on official visits, meetings or negotiations. State bodies are not required to avoid protocol-level contacts — unlike in harsher sanctions against Ukrainian nationals.
Suspension of cultural, scientific, educational and sports cooperation
Yes, sanctions typically included bans on cultural exchanges, scientific cooperation, educational activities and sports contacts. This effectively isolated the person from public life in these spheres.
No, none of these measures apply to Mindich and Zuckerman. Their sanctions do not affect cultural, scientific, educational or sports activities.
Prohibition on contracts and transactions
Yes, earlier sanctions imposed a full ban on any contracts or transactions with the sanctioned person by state bodies or private companies. This cut the sanctioned individual off from economic activity within Ukraine.
No, such restrictions are absent. Formally, Mindich and Zuckerman are not barred from entering into new contracts or transactions in Ukraine, which differs from the practice applied to Ukrainian nationals.
Asset freeze (seizure of property, accounts)
Yes, asset freezes are standard. All identified assets of sanctioned Ukrainian individuals within Ukraine were frozen: bank accounts, property, corporate rights, etc. This measure was applied consistently.
Yes, assets are frozen. Mindich and Zuckerman have had all assets on Ukrainian territory frozen for three years, with immediate effect.
Restrictions on trade operations
Yes, maximum sanctions typically included a ban on trade operations involving the individual or entities under their control, effectively prohibiting business activity in Ukraine.
Yes, trade operations are prohibited. The sanctions decree specifies a full ban on any trade operations in Ukraine linked to Mindich and Zuckerman.
Suspension of transit and transport through Ukraine
Yes (when applicable). Sanctions lists often included the suspension of transit or transportation through Ukrainian territory linked to the sanctioned entity — usually applied to foreigners or companies but sometimes affecting individuals.
Yes, transit is banned. The decree imposes a full ban on transit and transportation through Ukraine related to Mindich and Zuckerman.
Revocation of state honours (titles, orders)
Yes, sanctioned Ukrainian nationals were often stripped of state honours and titles previously granted to them.
Yes, both Mindich and Zuckerman have been stripped of all Ukrainian state honours and titles they held. This measure is indefinite.