Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday stated he had actually withdrawed the citizenship of Viktor Medvedchuk, once viewed as Russian leader Vladimir Putins leading ally in Kyiv and accused of high treason.Medvedchuk, a former Ukrainian lawmaker who was handed over to Russia in a detainee exchange last September, was stripped of his citizenship in addition to 3 others, Zelensky said in his daily address.Based on materials prepared by Ukraines security and state migration services and in accordance with the constitution, I have actually decided to terminate the citizenship of four persons, Zelensky said.He stated the actions were appropriate for those who select to serve not individuals of Ukraine, however the murderers who concerned Ukraine.
Zelensky also cautioned that these would not be the last such choices.
Medvedchuk was one of more than 50 prisoners turned over to Russia in September in exchange for 215 Ukrainian put behind bars soldiers.The swap was the greatest exchange between the warring sides because the start of Russias intrusion in February 2022.
The Ukrainian tycoon was captured in April last year by Ukraines special services, after fleeing house arrest when Russia attacked.
The super-rich powerbroker-- once called the dark prince of Ukrainian politics-- was accused of high treason and attempting to take natural deposits from Russia-annexed Crimea and of handing Ukrainian military secrets to Moscow.The others to lose their Ukrainian citizenship include Andriy Derkach-- an alleged Russian agent and rich previous member of the Ukraine parliament.In June Derkach was implicated by the Ukrainian government of supporting Russias invasion and a warrant was released for his arrest.The U.S.
Justice Department has actually said Derkach also participated in an effort to smear President Joe Biden over his boy Hunter Bidens Ukraine ties.Another to lose their Ukrainian citizenship, Taras Kozak, has been accused by the United States of being involved in operations by Russias FSB intelligence service to weaken the Ukrainian federal government and economy.Renat Kuzmin, likewise a Ukrainian politician presumed of relate to Russia, was the 4th male Zelensky stated would be removed of his citizenship.