This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has signed a decree imposing sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and dozens of other top Russian officials.
The list of 35 sanctioned officials includes Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, and all members of Russia’s government and Security Council, including Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
The largely symbolic move, which was approved by Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, bans those listed entry to Ukraine, revokes visas and permits, and blocks their financial assets.
Zelenskiy in the early phase of the war sought a meeting with Putin, an idea that never came close to fruition as the Kremlin said preparatory peace negotiations were necessary.
The peace talks are now frozen and Ukraine is lobbying the European Union to impose a seventh sanctions package on Russia.
“Given that Russia seems to aim to fight in Ukraine to the last Russian, sanctions pressure, of course, needs to be increased,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on June 8.
Russia’s education minister said in response that Moscow will not be deterred.
“Today’s decision by the Kyiv regime speaks to its inadequacy and inability to control the situation. It’s a gesture of desperation, which cannot prevent the integration of Donbas and the liberated territories into a single educational space with Russia,” Sergei Kravtsov told Interfax.
