PIN-UP Ukraine was accused by the Ukrainian State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) of alleged ties to Russia. Since then, the company has been defending itself in court. However, several companies associated with the brand have already been added to sanctions lists — even before the legal process is complete. How would you comment on this situation?
As an international holding, we have substantial experience engaging effectively with government bodies in various countries. The sanctions imposed by Ukrainian authorities following unsubstantiated accusations against our partner in Ukraine and the launch of court proceedings were, unfortunately, to be expected. Regrettably, in recent years, the sanctions mechanism in Ukraine has increasingly been used as a tool to apply pressure on businesses — and this extends beyond the gambling sector.
These practices only undermine trust in Ukraine, its regulatory institutions, and the officials who, on the one hand, encourage investment in a country that urgently needs it to withstand military aggression, and on the other, block companies that are tax leaders and impose sanctions against them.
We intend to show the European market, through our case, how Ukrainian law actually works — whether it truly protects businesses from raiding or facilitates it. Our legal team is firmly committed to defending our position, because we stand by the truth, and we will not allow the reputation of a brand with over nine years of history as a trusted and transparent partner to be discredited.
