Members of the Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian parliament, have adopted a new law which bans pro-Russian political parties, according to the parliament’s website.
The law prohibits the activities of parties whose political platform is aimed at justifying and denying aggression against Ukraine, or at glorifying people involved in warfare against the country. The parties will no longer be able to call such people ‘rebels’ or ‘militiamen’.
A total of 330 MPs voted in favour of the bill, including the former members of the banned Opposition Platform party.
As the Ukraine war began, the country’s National Security and Defence Council suspended the activities of Russia-related political associations. Apart from the Opposition Platform, the list included the Party of Shariy, the Nashi party, and others. Shortly thereafter, the Opposition Platform For Life parliamentary group changed its name to Platform for Life and Peace.
The Ukrainian MPs also approved a resolution labelling Russia's monopolisation of the WW2 victory ‘unacceptable’. In addition, they have approved an appeal to the House of Representatives and the Senate of the US Congress to declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism.
