Ukrainian officials have moved to suspend several political parties within the country that have connections to Russia.
The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine announced on Sunday that it is suspending 11 Ukrainian political parties due to connections to Russia or the Kremlin.
“The activities of those politicians aimed at division or collusion will not succeed but will receive a harsh response,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a Telegram video address.
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“Therefore, the national security and defense council decided, given the full-scale war unleashed by Russia and the political ties that a number of political structures have with this state, to suspend any activity of a number of political parties for the period of martial law,” Zelensky added.
The suspended parties include the Opposition Platform – For Life, Sharij’s Party, Nashi, Opposition Bloc, Left Opposition, Union of Left Forces, Derzhava, Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine, Socialist Party of Ukraine, the Socialists, and Volodymyr Saldo’s Bloc. Only two out of the 11 listed parties have members in Ukraine’s parliament.
The Opposition Platform for Life is considered Ukraine’s largest opposition party and is led by Viktor Medvedchuk, a pro-Russia leader with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Medvedchuk was charged with treason in May 2021 and put under house arrest. Ukrainian officials claim that Medvedchuk escaped house arrest three days after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.
Russian leaders criticized the decision. “The most democratic president of modern Ukraine has taken another step towards the western ideals of democracy. By decision of the Council for National Defence and Security, he completely banned any activity of opposition parties in Ukraine. They are not needed! Well done! Keep it up,” wrote former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, a Putin ally, on Telegram, according to the Guardian.
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The decision occurred simultaneously with Zelensky signing a decree that will combine all national TV channels in Ukraine into one platform under martial law.
