The vote of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) for the introduction of sanctions against a number of legal entities and individuals ended “almost unanimously.” This was announced on Friday, February 19, by the NSDC Secretary Alexei Danilov.
“The vote was almost unanimous. One person voted with a small comment. It was about the fact that additional arguments need to be introduced into the law on sanctions, ”Danilov said at a briefing broadcast by the Ukraine TV channel.
Earlier that day, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine imposed sanctions against the head of the political council of the Opposition Platform – For Life party Viktor Medvedchuk and his wife. Danilov specified that the sanctions apply to all Medvedchuk’s property. The restrictions will last for three years. According to him, the basis for the decision of the NSDC was the accusation of financing terrorism (Article 258-5 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
On February 5, Danilov on the air of the Ukraina TV channel announced the imminent introduction of restrictions against a number of Ukrainian citizens, including deputies of the Verkhovna Rada. At the same time, he admitted that Medvedchuk would be among the persons who would fall under the sanctions.
The day before, the Ukrainian party “Opposition Platform – For Life” adopted a resolution on the beginning of the impeachment procedure for the country’s President Volodymyr Zelensky in connection with the blocking of a number of Ukrainian TV channels.
According to Medvedchuk, there is all the evidence that the head of state has violated the constitution.
On February 2, the Ukrainian leader put into effect the NSDC decision on restrictions against the TV and radio company 112 Ukraine, its regional channels Ariadna TV, TV Vybor, New Format, Partner TV and Leader TV, as well as the company News 24 hours ”(NewsOne TV channel). The next day, TV channels 112 Ukraine, NewsOne and ZIK stopped broadcasting and lost their domains.
Zelensky explained his decision by the fact that Kiev is fighting “propaganda”. In turn, the journalists called what was happening the elimination of unwanted media and promised to continue their activities.
The Russian Foreign Ministry called Zelensky’s decision on sanctions a blatant example of political censorship. The ministry called on competent international organizations to assess the actions of the Ukrainian authorities.