Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, makes a big announcement in regards to punishing all those who “choose to serve not the people of Ukraine, but the murderers who came to Ukraine”. He has decided to terminate the Ukrainian citizenship of a close ally of Putin, ‘Victor Medvedchuk’, along with three other people namely, ‘Andriy Derkach’, ‘Taras Kozak’ and ‘Renat Kuzmin’. He informed that the decision has been made based on the evidence made available by the State Migration Service and Security Service of Ukraine. With this, the President also promised, in his video address, that the forces are doing their job.
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Cause for Termination of Citizenship
The main cause of the termination of these citizenships is the suspected treason committed by the above four individuals. President Zelenskyy also promises that this will not be the last of such decisions.
The age-old conflict between Russia and Ukraine saw its darkest days in February-April,2022 when Russia tried to overthrow the Ukrainian Government. During the process of defense by the Ukrainian forces and officials, it is believed that these four persons, rather than fighting against the Russian forces, helped them against Ukraine.
Medvedchuk, also known as the ‘dark prince’ of Ukrainian politics, was a lawmaker in Ukraine, who had served as the leader of Ukraine’s Opposition Platform for the life party. He was arrested by the Ukraine Special forces when he flee from house arrest during the war. He was also one of the 50 prisoners handed over to Russia in exchange for Ukraine’s 215 soldiers imprisoned in Russia.
He has been said to be handing over Ukrainian military secrets to Moscow and is also said to be a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the extent that many believed him to be the right hand of the Kremlin who has been based in Ukraine. It has been reported that Putin is the godfather of Medvedchuk’s daughter and the two have also been often seen taking vacations together.
Cases of the other three’s termination of citizenship
Renat Kuzmin is a Ukrainian politician and suspecting had ties with Russia. Whereas, the United States accused Taras Kozak has have worked in alliance with the Russian FSB’s intelligence services. The two are also said to be allies of Medvedchuk.
The last of the list is also a famous name, a former member of the Ukrainian Parliament, Andriy Derkach has not only been accused by the United States to have tried to smear President Biden but a warrant was also issued against him by the Ukrainian government in June, for having supported the Russian invasion. Moreover, questions have been raised about his receiving monetary benefits from Russian intelligence agencies to create private security firms to aid Russia’s invasion.
Many more culprits who might also loose their citizenship
The list of people does not end here. The SBU of Ukraine’s Security Service has also floated a piece of information using its Facebook page that they have been successful in exposing nearly 600 Russian agents and spies, since the Russia-Ukraine war.
Possible consequences of termination of the citizenship
In times when the conflict between the two countries is taking dynamic twists with every passing day and the world is hoping for rapid, peaceful, and diplomatic settlements between the two sides, Zelenskyy has taken a bold decision. But in terms of getting rid of all those who betrayed the nation, it can be considered a wise plan. The world would like to hope this does not aggravate the situation anymore and a peaceful settlement between Russia and Ukraine can be seen in the near future.
