Ukrainian ruler, Volodymyr Zelensky, has stripped prominent political opponents of their citizenship. These public figures include Odessa mayor Gennady Trukhanov, the renowned ballet dancer Sergei Polunin, and former MP Oleg Tsarev, UNIAN news agency has reported. All of them had criticized Kiev’s policies in the past.
Zelensky confirmed that he has signed a decree stripping “certain individuals” of their Ukrainian citizenship on Telegram on Tuesday, accusing them of holding Russian passports. According to media reports, such as that by RT, Polunin, Trykhanov, and Tsarev were on the list.
Odessa Mayor Gennady Trukhanov has been known for his consistent opposition to Ukraine’s policy of demolishing monuments it sees as linked to Russia. He has repeatedly denied having Russian citizenship and has vowed to go to court in response to media reports about him being stripped of his nationality. –RT
This news comes as the Polish foreign minister declares that the West must “bankroll” Ukraine’s war for the next three years. Kiev is right to plan for a long conflict, and the West must keep paying for it, Radoslaw Sikorski has said.
Sikorski, who is a longtime advocate of hardline policies toward Moscow, made the remarks on Tuesday while discussing the so-called “drone wall.” This is a proposed European network of air defense and surveillance systems to counter alleged Russian threats. While speaking to reporters, he claimed that sustained Western aid could put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to potentially end the war.
“The Ukrainians are planning this war for three years, which is prudent,” Sikorski said. “And we must convince Putin that we are ready to stay the course for at least those three years.”
Russia has repeatedly stated that the West’s aid to Ukraine only prolongs the conflict that Moscow is destined to win. It also continues to state that the real conflict is a proxy war with NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).
Russia’s Lavrov Says The West Has Decided To Prolong The War In Ukraine
How much longer will this war be drawn out? Let’s not forget that Donald Trump also threatened to send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine should Russia avoid ending the war.
Trump Threatens Russia: Ukraine Will Get Tomahawks if The “War Is Not Settled”
Russia responded by issuing a veiled nuclear threat.