President Zelensky has moved to effectively ban 11 political parties in Ukraine, because he alleges they have links to Russia. He also signed a decree which forces all national TV channels to merge into a single government-run service.
“Given the full-scale war waged by the Russian Federation and the ties of some political structures with this state, any activity of a number of political parties during the martial law is suspended,” Zelensky said in a video address.
The 11 opposition parties named were: Opposition Platform – For Life, Shariy Party, Nashi, Opposition Bloc, Left Opposition, Union of Left Forces, State, Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine, Socialist Party of Ukraine, Socialists Party, and Volodymyr Saldo Bloc.
The largest opposition party, the ‘Platform for Life’, is led by a 67-year-old oligarch named Viktor Medvedchuk, who has been described as a close friend of Russian President, Vladimir Putin.
In May of 2021, Medvedchuk was charged with treason and placed under house arrest because of what the Ukrainian government described as his pro-Russian stance. He has vanished since the February invasion, and his current whereabouts are unknown.
Since the Russian invasion, Ukraine has imposed martial law, where parliamentary oversight is suspended and law is administered by the military rather than a civilian government.
Zelensky promised a “tough” or “harsh” response to anyone opposing the suspension or causing division.
“Any activity of politicians aimed at splitting or collaborating will not succeed. But it will get a tough response,” he said. “The activities of those politicians aimed at division or collusion will not succeed, but will receive a harsh response.”
His administration also said the decision to insist that all TV stations merge is part of a ‘unified information policy’. necessary as the country is at war. The move will give the Ukrainian government a monopoly on the news.
The Kremlin said: “By decision of the Council for National Defence and Security, he [Zelensky] completely banned any activity of opposition parties in Ukraine. They are not needed! Well done! Keep it up.”
Meanwhile, Zelensky has predicted ‘third World War’ if negotiations with Russia fail to achieve peace.