Zelensky signs decree approving sanctions against Syria's Al-Assad

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday signed a decree approving a proposal by the National Security and Defense Council to impose sanctions on 141 legal entities and 300 individuals, including Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, Ukrainian media reported.

According to a decree signed by Zelensky, the sanctions against Al-Assad will last for 10 years, blocking any assets belonging to the Syrian President in Ukraine and prohibiting any trade transactions with him.

The sanctions also targeted Syrian Prime Minister Hussein Arnous and Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad.

It is noteworthy that Ukraine decided to cut diplomatic ties with Syria in June 2022 after Damascus recognized the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR).

In response, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates announced that Syria decided to sever diplomatic ties with Ukraine "in accordance with the principle of reciprocity."

The ministry also pointed out that since 2018 the Ukrainian government severed relations with Syria when it refused to renew the residency visas of Syrian diplomats in Kiev, preventing them from exercising their functions, according to the statement.

The anti-Syria sanctions come shortly after Al-Assad concluded a visit to Moscow where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Al-Assad told Sputnik that Zelensky is waging a war on behalf of the West using an "army of Nazis".

Touching on the referenda held in numerous regions regarding their accession to Russia, namely the DPR, LPR, Zaparozhye, and Kherson, the Syrian President underlined that Damascus fully recognized Russia's new borders.

Read more: Talks between Al-Assad, Putin concluded following 3 hours meeting