Zelensky signs bill banning pro-Russia parties in Ukraine

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed into law legislation banning parties that are "anti-Ukrainian in nature" and whose activities he claimed are intended to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, news outlet Strana reported on Saturday. 

The bill bans the activities of parties such as Opposition Platform - For Life, Party of Shariy, Nashi, Opposition Bloc, Left Opposition, Union of Left Forces, Derzhava, Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine, Socialist Party of Ukraine, the Socialists, and Volodymyr Saldo Bloc. It was passed by the Ukrainian parliament on May 3. 

The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) had halted the activity of a number of political parties and suspended their activities for a certain period of time, namely for the period of martial law in Ukraine, which had been put into effect after the start of the war.

What the parties in question have in common is the fact that they are predominantly leftist, and their ban could just be part of the Kiev regime's attempts at silencing the left-wing opposition under the pretext of the crisis currently ongoing in the country.

The Ukrainian court had allowed earlier this month the arrest of Opposition Platform - For Life Party political council chairman Viktor Medvedchuk as part of its campaign to suppress the opposition.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had declared martial law the same day as the war kicked off in the country, implementing a state of submission to military authority in times of tension and conflict.

Silencing the opposition was not only an occurrence in Ukraine, as it was prominent in the West, with the latter implementing restrictive measures on Russian officials, entities, and media outlets, such as RT and Sputnik.

The campaign also saw an escalation in the anti-Russian narrative and rampant Russophobia in Western media and among internet users.