USA moves to limit disclosure of sensitive Ukrainian data in Tatneft case – Ministry of Justice

The United States has supported Ukraine's position in the case of PJSC Tatneft and called for limiting the disclosure of sensitive information, the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine reports.

"On Monday, the United States Department of Justice filed a Statement of Interest with the District Court for the Southern District of New York regarding the lawsuit filed by PJSC Tatneft against the state of Ukraine," according to a statement on the department's website.

The U.S. government opposes the excessive disclosure of information about Ukrainian assets and requests limitations on such disclosure at the stage of implementing the decision on Ukrainian property, as well as on a number of state-owned enterprises and banks.

The American side emphasizes that PJSC Tatneft's requests pose a real threat to Ukraine's national security, as they concern sensitive defense, energy, transport, and nuclear facilities that are important targets for Russian intelligence.

The statement emphasizes that, due to Tatneft’s close ties to the Russian government, the obtained information could be used to assess defense capabilities, identify targets, plan attacks, and disrupt Ukraine’s economy and logistics.

The Justice Department notes that the Tatneft lawsuit against Ukraine is a U.S. case seeking recognition and enforcement of a $172.9 million arbitration award against Ukraine. In 2021, the District Court for the District of Columbia recognized the arbitration award Tatneft received against Ukraine. Afterwards, Tatneft sought to disclose information in order to enforce the arbitration award against nineteen "state-controlled entities," which Tatneft claims represent the state of Ukraine for the purpose of enforcing the award.

From 2021 to early 2022, PJSC Tatneft sent subpoenas to 77 financial institutions in New York, demanding the widest possible disclosure of information. Ukraine filed a motion with the District Court for the Southern District of New York to quash the subpoenas, objecting to them.

On December 20, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a Statement of Interest with the district court to dismiss Tatneft's motion to terminate the moratorium on disclosure of information, which has been in effect since 2022. The department also requested that the court resume proceedings in the case.

Ukraine's interests in the case are represented by the international law firm Holland & Knight LLP and partner Robert Shaw.