THE ROLE OF THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE OF UKRAINE IN THE FORMATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FOREIGN CRIMINAL AND LEGAL POLICY OF THE STATE

Abstract

The article is devoted to a comprehensive theoretical and legal analysis of the role of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine in the formation and implementation of the state's foreign criminal and legal policy in the context of European integration processes and armed aggression against Ukraine. It is determined that foreign criminal and legal policy is a component of the state's general legal policy and is aimed at ensuring international law and order, combating transnational crime, and fulfilling Ukraine's international obligations in the field of criminal law and criminal procedure.

It is substantiated that the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine is a key subject of the said policy, performing rule-making, coordination, and implementation functions. Based on the analysis of legislation and subordinate regulatory legal acts, the powers of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine in the field of international legal cooperation in criminal proceedings are revealed.

It is proven that the activities of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine in the field of foreign criminal law policy are systemic and multi-level in nature and cover both the conceptual level (adaptation of legislation to international standards, participation in the formation of international criminal law mechanisms) and the practical level of their implementation. Some examples of the institutional and normative activities of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine are analyzed, in particular the functioning of the Unified State Register of Assets Seized in Criminal Proceedings, the conclusion of international memoranda in the field of criminal justice, as well as participation in the formation of mechanisms of international liability and compensation for damage caused by armed aggression.

Particular attention is paid to problematic aspects of the implementation of Ukraine's foreign criminal law policy, including delays in international legal assistance and extradition procedures, insufficient digitalization and interagency coordination, as well as difficulties in implementing European Union standards in the field of arrest and confiscation of assets.

It is concluded that increasing the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine in the field of international criminal law cooperation is an important prerequisite for ensuring Ukraine's European integration aspirations, strengthening the trust of international partners, and forming an effective system of international criminal liability.

Keywords: foreign criminal law policy, Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, international cooperation, international obligations, extradition, European integration, transnational crime, armed aggression.