Zelensky signs law on confiscation of Russian properties in Ukraine

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed on Thursday a law that stipulates the confiscation of property belonging to Russia or Russian citizens in Ukraine.

Zelensky noted that he discussed with German Chancellor Olaf Scholtz the peace talks process with Russia and his country's membership in the European Union.

The Ukrainian president wrote on the updates in a Twitter post:

Discussed the course of peace talks with Chancellor @OlafScholz. Stressed the importance of increasing defense support for 🇺🇦 and sanctions pressure on Russia. Raised the issue of Ukraine's membership in the EU on the eve of the informal summit of 🇪🇺 leaders.

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 10, 2022

Kiev allowed use of weapons against those fleeing to Russia

Kiev allowed nationalists to use weapons against those who try to flee to Russia and to threaten to kill relatives, according to Col. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry's National Defense Control Center (NDCC).

"The Kiev regime has authorized nationalists to use weapons against those who are attempting to evacuate to Russia, threatening to kill relatives who remain on Ukrainian territory. Radicals also threaten physical harm against those who are trying to receive humanitarian assistance," the general said on Wednesday.

According to the general, the personnel located on two checkpoints of the so-called territorial defense on the Sumy-Grayvoron highway, wearing a civilian uniform and holding small arms and Molotov cocktails, are in charge of keeping the refugees from escaping.

"In Kharkiv, nationalists, under the threat of using weapons, are forcing local residents to set up barricades of car tires at every intersection in order to prevent civilians from accessing humanitarian corridors," the general said, adding that residents of cities and towns "have lost their already dubious faith in the current government, which prefers not to notice human suffering."

Zelensky signs a law allowing civilians to use weapons during wartime

On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law that stipulates that all citizens of Ukraine are allowed to use weapons during the war, the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform said.

The Ukrainian President gave out over 18,000 assault rifles to residents in Kiev late last month with no background checks or identification.

Following the action, there were widespread allegations of looting and raiding, as well as attacks on citizens and gunfights in the streets of Kiev involving heavily armed gang members, nationalist battalions, and the Ukrainian military, with the city fast devolving into disorder.