President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on March
23 laying sanctions against Russian entities, rferl.org reports. In total, 26
individuals and 81 legal entities included Russian media, an insurance company
and Russian firms doing business in Crimea since the Russian occupation began
in 2014. The list of individuals includes French MEPs who visited Crimea in
2020 without permission from the Ukrainian government.
James Hydzik: Adding the French MEPs is an aspect of the sanctions that signals to
Ukraine’s western partners that “anything goes” for its citizens in terms of
Ukraine. However, taking this step in limiting the spread of Russia’s in
Ukraine is perhaps more serious. The effect on democracy in Ukraine will be
debated in the press, which is a good sign.