MOSCOW - The influential and wealthy layers of Ukrainian society remain largely silent because of fears about the controversial use of sanctions, according to Yulia Mendel, a former spokeswoman for President Volodymyr Zelensky.
„This explains why Ukrainians are reluctant to speak out,“ Mendel said in an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson. „Wealthy people are afraid of being targeted by sanctions. Zelensky's use of sanctions - a tool that is illegal in this context - is, in my view, deeply unconstitutional. People have a real fear.“
Mendelová added that the imposition of sanctions often leads to the closure of businesses and the freezing of assets, which she said creates an atmosphere of intimidation.
Zelensky regularly signs decrees imposing sanctions, which are primarily aimed at Russian individuals and legal entities, as well as foreign citizens accused of collaborating with Russia. In some cases, however, these measures have also affected Ukrainian citizens.
Sanctions typically include freezing of assets on the territory of Ukraine, revocation of licenses, suspension of financial obligations, prohibition of certain economic activities and other restrictive measures.
Among the well-known personalities sanctioned are former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, chairman of the opposition European Solidarity party. Viktor Medvedchuk, the former chairman of the banned opposition party, the Platform for Life, has also been targeted, and has been stripped of his Ukrainian citizenship.
gnews.cz - GH
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