Ukraine passes law banning political parties with ‘pro-Russian stance’

By Meiramgul Kussainova

KYIV, Ukraine (AA) - Ukraine’s parliament passed a bill Tuesday that prohibits the activities of political parties with a "pro-Russian stance.”

A total of 330 lawmakers voted in favor of the legislation in the 450-seat parliament, MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said on Telegram.

"Finally, we will stop tolerating (the) ‘Russian world,’ which brings only destruction in Ukraine, our politicum," the Ukrainian parliament said on Twitter.

The law also provides for a ban on parties if their program goals or actions are aimed at presenting Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine as an internal conflict, civil conflict or civil war.

"Glorification, justification of actions and inaction of persons who have carried out or are carrying out armed aggression against Ukraine, representatives of armed groups of Russia, (and) other illegal armed groups created, subordinated, managed, financed by Russia" would also bring a ban, added parliament.

At least 3,193 civilians have been killed and 3,353 others injured in Ukraine since the war with Russia began on Feb. 24, according to UN estimates. The true toll is feared to be much higher.

More than 5.5 million people have fled to other countries, with some 7.7 million people internally displaced, data from the UN refugee agency shows.