Latest news with #Medvedchuk
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Zelensky slaps sanctions on war propagandists, Russian shadow fleet
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed decrees imposing new sanctions on pro-Kremlin propagandists and the Russian shadow fleet on April 11. The decrees put into effect a decision made earlier by Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council. Zelensky teased the sanctions announcement in his evening address on April 10. The sanctions lists include 71 people and 18 outlets spreading Russian propaganda. Fifty-nine more people are on the list targeting the so-called shadow fleet, a network of ships that Moscow allegedly uses to circumvent Western sanctions and continue exporting oil and gas. The latter list includes two Chinese captains of the shadow fleet. "We are increasing pressure on war propagandists and those who justify Russia," Zelensky said, adding that more sanctions are expected soon. The sanctioned entities are subject to an array of economic and civil penalties, including asset freezes, restrictions on trade operations, prohibitions on property acquisition, licensure terminations, transit bans, and prohibitions on media dissemination, among others. Among the listed propagandists is Artem Marchevskyi, a Ukrainian media manager who used to work at one of pro-Kremlin oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk's TV channels. Marchevskyi fled Ukraine, while Medvedchuk was arrested and later sent to Russia in a prisoner exchange. The two were accused by the Czech authorities of running a Moscow-paid propaganda network, Voice of Europe, from Prague. Last spring, the EU sanctioned Marchevskyi, Medvedchuk and the Voice of Europe site, reportedly used by the two men to spread pro-Russian propaganda in Europe. Zelensky also imposed sanctions against the "Drugaya Ukraina" ("Another Ukraine") political project, led by Medvedchuk in Russia. Ukraine's sanctions also targeted Russian war propagandists Aleksandr Sladkov, Daniil Bezsonov and Stanislav Smagin. Among the sanctioned propaganda outlets are EurAsia Daily, Readovka, and Yurii Bardash, a Ukraine-born notorious producer and musician who fled to Russia after the outbreak of the full-scale war, is also listed on the decree. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) suspects him of spreading war propaganda and justifying Moscow's aggression. In late January, Zelensky slapped sanctions on Ukrainian politicians who had spread Russian narratives for years, local media personalities said to be parroting Russian propaganda, and suspected Russian collaborators. Read also: 'Don't come, there's nothing good here' — Chinese soldiers warn against following Russian propaganda to fight in Ukraine We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine, Poland jointly detain Medvechuk-linked propagandist in first such operation
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Foreign Intelligence Service, and Polish authorities detained Kyrylo Molchanov, a propagandist working with pro-Russian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk's media network and Russian intelligence agencies, the SBU said on April 1. Molchanov was initially detained in Poland and transferred to a pre-trial detention in Kyiv, marking the first such operation carried out in cooperation between Ukraine and an EU country. Before the full-scale invasion, Molchanov was presented as a "political expert" in Medvedchuk's media group. In his speeches, the propagandist claimed that Ukrainians were divided by language, history, and religion and that the EU would deprive Ukraine of its sovereignty. Molchanov also criticized Medvedchuk's political opponents and the pro-Western initiatives of the Ukrainian government. After the start of the all-out war in 2022, Molchanov left for Russia, where he attended the program of Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov 35 times, according to SBU. The security agency presented him as "one of the key ideologists of the Kremlin media projects Other Ukraine and Voice of Europe," both of which were overseen by Medvedchuk. Once Russian President Vladimir Putin's key ally in the Ukrainian political landscape, Medvedchuk was arrested and released to Russia during a prisoner exchange in late 2022. Kyiv charged the pro-Russian oligarch with high treason in 2021 and stripped him of citizenship and his seat in parliament two years later. "For the first time since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, a Russian agent who worked against our country in the media sector was handed over to Ukraine (from the EU) at the request of the SBU," the security agency said. The SBU accused Molchanov of having been recruited by the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service. According to the SBU, Molchanov was engaged in discrediting Ukraine abroad and worked to undermine the internal situation in partner countries. Read also: Massive data leak: Ukrainian IDs, other documents exposed by years of cyber negligence We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russia Today
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Zelensky has plan to take out election rivals
Vladimir Zelensky and his team have begun laying the groundwork for a summer presidential vote in Ukraine in a bid to 'catch rivals off guard' and secure re-election before the fragmented opposition has a chance to regroup, the Economist reported, citing senior government sources. Zelensky's five-year presidential term expired in May 2024, but he refused to call new elections, citing martial law he personally imposed. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly questioned Zelensky's legitimacy , arguing that his status prevents him from signing any legally binding documents, including a peace deal with Moscow. Even US President Donald Trump once referred to Zelensky as a ' dictator without elections .' According to the Economist article published Sunday, Zelensky 'called a meeting last week to task his team with organising a vote after a full ceasefire, which the Americans believe they could impose by late April.' A senior government source claimed that Zelensky intends to move quickly to reduce electoral competition by giving potential rivals little time to prepare and virtually 'run unopposed.' The same source attempted to justify the move by claiming that 'a long campaign would tear the country apart.' READ MORE: Zelensky targets political opposition Zelensky claimed in an interview last month that the Ukrainian 'population is against elections,' arguing that holding a vote would undermine the country's defense posture. 'If we suspend martial law, we will lose the army,' he said. READ MORE: No election in Ukraine even if truce with Russia achieved – top Zelensky aide The Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, is set to vote on whether to extend martial law for another 90 days before it expires on May 8. Most sources cited by The Economist expect Zelensky to push for a summer vote, with early July cited as the earliest possible date under Ukraine's 60-day minimum campaign law. Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko , described by the outlet as 'a sworn foe' of Zelensky , predicted that elections could take place 'any time from August to October.' Poroshenko claimed the campaign had already de facto begun in February, when Zelensky placed him under sanctions in an attempt to write off his candidacy and warn off former commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny . Zelensky's January sanctions also targeted exiled Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk . Medvedchuk led the Opposition Platform – For Life party, formerly the second-largest faction in the Ukrainian parliament, until his arrest in April 2022. The party was later banned, and Medvedchuk was transferred to Russia in a September 2022 prisoner exchange. READ MORE: Zelensky has 'no chance' of winning a fair election – Putin Putin has estimated that Zelensky has 'absolutely no chance' of winning a fair election due to low approval ratings, 'unless something is grossly rigged.' An internal poll last month suggested that Zelensky would be defeated by Zaluzhny , 30% to 65%, as many Ukrainians are 'clearly frustrated with their war leader.' Critics have also pointed out that a fair vote would require dismantling censorship and ending government control over media coverage. In 2022, Kiev introduced what it called the United News TV telemarathon – a 24/7 joint information program produced by the country's major media outlets – while cracking down on alternative narratives as pro-Russia propaganda.
Russia Today
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Exiled Ukrainian opposition leader cautions Trump on dealing with Kiev
US President Donald Trump will not be able to reach any kind of agreement with Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky, nor with any other politician from his circle who may eventually replace him, exiled Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk has cautioned. Zelensky's presidential term officially expired in May 2024 as he has refused to hold a new election, citing martial law imposed during the conflict with Russia. Trump reportedly insisted earlier this week that the Ukrainian leader should hold elections and possibly step down. Writing in an article for the 'Other Ukraine' news outlet on Wednesday, Medvedchuk – who was ousted in 2022 – suggested that removing Zelensky might not help achieve peace, as the country's political system could produce another leader with similarly obstructive tendencies. 'What US President Donald Trump does not realize is that as soon as he gets rid of Zelensky… the Ukrainian political system will throw another clown at him,' Medvedchuk claimed. Medvedchuk cited the recent talks between Zelensky and Trump in the Oval Office, which escalated into an unprecedented public confrontation, as proof that there is a pervasive culture among Kiev's pro-Western political factions that prioritizes self-interest. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance ended up accusing the Ukrainian leader of disrespectful behavior, a lack of gratitude, and an unwillingness to pursue peace. 'America's problem is that it's not just Zelensky who doesn't understand how he disrespected Trump, but most of his entourage doesn't… Ukraine's pro-Western politicians are not accustomed at all to considering the interests of others,' Medvedchuk argued. He went on to claim that 'Zelensky's Ukraine is raising citizens to be spoiled, hysterical, illiterate, infantile and irresponsible; they believe that everyone owes them, and that they never owe anything to anybody in return.' Medvedchuk was leader of the Opposition Platform – For Life party, formerly the second-largest group in the Ukrainian parliament, until his arrest in April 2022. The party was subsequently banned, and Medvedchuk was sent to Russia in September of that year in exchange for several POWs. He founded the Other Ukraine movement in 2023 and acts as chairman of its council. In January, Zelensky imposed sanctions against him.
Russia Today
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Ukraine's exiled opposition leader cautions Trump on dealing with Kiev
US President Donald Trump will not be able to reach any kind of agreement with Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky, nor with any other politician from his circle who may eventually replace him, exiled Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk has cautioned. Zelensky's presidential term officially expired in May 2024 as he has refused to hold a new election, citing martial law imposed during the conflict with Russia. Trump reportedly insisted earlier this week that the Ukrainian leader should hold elections and possibly step down. Writing in an article for the 'Other Ukraine' news outlet on Wednesday, Medvedchuk – who was ousted in 2022 – suggested that removing Zelensky might not help achieve peace, as the country's political system could produce another leader with similarly obstructive tendencies. 'What US President Donald Trump does not realize is that as soon as he gets rid of Zelensky… the Ukrainian political system will throw another clown at him,' Medvedchuk claimed. Medvedchuk cited the recent talks between Zelensky and Trump in the Oval Office, which escalated into an unprecedented public confrontation, as proof that there is a pervasive culture among Kiev's pro-Western political factions that prioritizes self-interest. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance ended up accusing the Ukrainian leader of disrespectful behavior, a lack of gratitude, and an unwillingness to pursue peace. 'America's problem is that it's not just Zelensky who doesn't understand how he disrespected Trump, but most of his entourage doesn't… Ukraine's pro-Western politicians are not accustomed at all to considering the interests of others,' Medvedchuk argued. He went on to claim that 'Zelensky's Ukraine is raising citizens to be spoiled, hysterical, illiterate, infantile and irresponsible; they believe that everyone owes them, and that they never owe anything to anybody in return.' Medvedchuk was leader of the Opposition Platform – For Life party, formerly the second-largest group in the Ukrainian parliament, until his arrest in April 2022. The party was subsequently banned, and Medvedchuk was sent to Russia in September of that year in exchange for several POWs. He founded the Other Ukraine movement in 2023 and acts as chairman of its council. In January, Zelensky imposed sanctions against him.
