Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky on Sunday signed a decree enacting a decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to impose personal sanctions against 198 Russian propagandists and talk show participants on Russian channels, as well as other figures in the Russian media sphere.
The corresponding document #23/2023 was published on the website of the head of state.
“To enact the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine dated January 15, 2023 “On the application and amendment of personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions),” the decree reads.
The decision of the National Security and Defense Council is attached to the decree. It contains a list of 198 people of Russian culture and the media sphere, against whom personal sanctions are imposed.
The list includes, among others, Russian blogger, translator and publicist Dmitry Puchkov (Goblin), politician Sergei Stankevich, general producer of Russian propaganda television channel “Zvezda,” Boris Yanovsky, TV presenter Yana Rudkovskaya, actor and TV presenter Boris Korchevnikov, Russian music critic and journalist Sergei Sosedov, sociologist Yevgeny Kopatko, political scientist Rostislav Ishchenko, Rodion Miroshnik, publicist and propagandist Vladimir Kornilov, sports journalist Dmitry Guberniev, film director Andrei Konchalovsky, and other propagandists from Russian central TV channels, as well as so-called Russian “war correspondents.
Diana Panchenko, a former Ukrainian TV anchorwoman who now shoots propaganda clips for Russian television in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, was also put on the list.
A full package of personal sanctions for a period of 10 years is being imposed against those on the list.
“This decree shall enter into force on the day of its publication,” the document signed by the president reads.
We are together – a big Ukrainian family, and wherever we are now – at home, at work, in a trench, on the road, in Ukraine or abroad – our family is more united than ever, said Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky in a video greeting on Christmas according to the Julian calendar.
“Unity in its faith in a single victory. We are still bringing it closer. Every day. Still standing for each other, side by side. Every day. We defend our land, our culture, our traditions, our faith. As our ancestors did – the Cossacks – defenders of the faith and the Church of Christ. And just as all their descendants and continuators of the traditions of our army and our people did,” Zelensky said.
“Today, the spirits of our ancestors help us every day. Beat those who came to our land,” the president stressed.
According to him, “we live in a special time and all our holidays are special. And we have to break some of our traditions to protect our traditions.”
“You can’t wear dark or old shabby clothes for the holidays, so that trouble doesn’t come to the house. But trouble came to our house on Feb. 24, 2022, so we haven’t worn white clothes since then and we fight black forces,” he said.
“Guests should be treated with special cordiality and care. Guests, but not occupiers. On the holy day, you can’t clean and take the trash out of the house, but we fight the devils and take the trash out of our house more than three hundred days in a row,” Zelensky continued.
“It is forbidden to sew and knit, but we weave camouflage nets and sew body armor, overcoming evil. Our ancestors didn’t go hunting these days, but we fight not to become prey and defeat the beast. That’s what God sees. The world sees it,” he said.
The president reminded that the “Carol of the Bells” written to music by Nikolai Leontovich is sung in more than 150 variations and the Ukrainian “Shchedrik” gives the Christmas spirit to the whole planet. “The spirit of hope, goodness and wonder. This year this spirit of peace is given not only by our music, but also by Ukrainian courage, indestructibility, defiance, invincibility,” the president said.
“Today we all have the same dream. May accord come to every family, prosperity to every home, victory to the Ukrainian land, and with it a thousand years of peace and prosperity. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a tasty kuti! Take care of yourselves, take care of your families and take care of our Ukraine!” – Zelensky concluded.
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio had a 30-minute phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, discussing Russian aggression against Ukraine and the Japanese prime minister’s possible visit to Kiev.
According to NHK television, Kishida assured that he would play an active role during Japan’s G7 presidency.
“I strongly condemned Russia’s continued aggression and said that Japan will do everything possible to help, including surviving the winter to protect the lives of Ukrainians,” he said.
For his part, President Zelenskyy expressed his deep appreciation for Japan’s position and spoke about the current situation in the country. The interlocutors also discussed the possible visit of Kishida Fumio to Ukraine, who received an invitation to visit Kiev.
“Nothing has been decided yet, but I will consider it under different circumstances,” he added.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan intends to hold telephone conversations with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, January 4.
Turkey’s Anadolu news agency quoted Erdogan’s spokesman, Ibrahim Kalın, as saying, “Turkish President Erdoğan will hold a telephone conversation with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts on Wednesday.”
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has announced a message to the Verkhovna Rada on the external and internal situation of Ukraine
“Soon I will present my view on the implementation of these tasks in the annual message to the Verkhovna Rada on the external and internal situation of Ukraine. I want this message to be not a report, but our conversation with you about the next year,” he said in a video message on Tuesday.
According to him, “This week will be politically important for Ukraine. We’re going into next year and we have to maintain a common understanding of our national goals.”
“Of course, it is the liberation of our land from the enemy, as well as the reconstruction of Ukraine, the return of our people home, the further rapprochement of our state with key partners, the opening of new opportunities for Ukraine in the world – this is the task for the near future. And not only for the state, but also for each of us,” Zelensky said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked his American counterpart Joseph Biden for the support of the Ukrainian people.
“Joseph Biden, thank you for the support of our people!” he wrote in his telegram channel.
According to the Ukrainian commander-in-chief, “this visit is carried out on the eve of the new year, which can be extremely important for Ukraine.”
“I’m sure that together we can achieve significant results,” Zelensky stressed.
As reported, Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcomed the president of Ukraine to the White House on the South Lawn. Biden said that the American people, both Democrats and Republicans, were proud to support Ukrainians.
