Volodymyr Zelensky additionally warned that these wouldn’t be “the final such selections.”

Kyiv:

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday mentioned he had revoked the citizenship of Viktor Medvedchuk, as soon as seen as Russian chief Vladimir Putin’s high ally in Kyiv and accused of excessive treason.

Medvedchuk, a former Ukrainian lawmaker who was handed over to Russia in a prisoner trade final September, was stripped of his citizenship together with three others, Zelensky mentioned in his day by day tackle.

Primarily based on supplies ready by Ukraine’s safety and state migration providers and in accordance with the structure, “I’ve determined to terminate the citizenship of 4 individuals,” Zelensky mentioned.

He mentioned the actions have been acceptable for many who “select to serve not the individuals of Ukraine, however the murderers who got here to Ukraine”.

Zelensky additionally warned that these wouldn’t be “the final such selections.”

Medvedchuk was one in every of greater than 50 prisoners handed over to Russia in September in trade for 215 Ukrainian imprisoned troopers.

The swap was the most important trade between the warring sides for the reason that begin of Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

The Ukrainian tycoon was captured in April final 12 months by Ukraine’s particular providers, after fleeing dwelling arrest when Russia invaded.

The super-rich powerbroker — as soon as dubbed the “darkish prince” of Ukrainian politics — was accused of excessive treason and making an attempt to steal pure sources from Russia-annexed Crimea and of handing Ukrainian army secrets and techniques to Moscow.

The others to lose their Ukrainian citizenship embrace Andriy Derkach — an alleged Russian agent and rich former member of the Ukraine parliament.

In June Derkach was accused by the Ukrainian authorities of supporting Russia’s invasion and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

The US Justice Division has mentioned Derkach additionally took half in an effort to smear President Joe Biden over his son Hunter Biden’s Ukraine ties.

One other to lose their Ukrainian citizenship, Taras Kozak, has been accused by the US of being concerned in operations by Russia’s FSB intelligence service to undermine the Ukrainian authorities and financial system.

Renat Kuzmin, additionally a Ukrainian politician suspected of hyperlinks with Russia, was the fourth man Zelensky mentioned could be stripped of his citizenship.

(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)