Zelenskyy appealed to Cyprus Parliament to put pressure on Russia

Thursday, 7 April 2022, 21:39

In a speech addressed to the House of Representatives of Cyprus, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the state to abolish the privileges granted to Russian citizens that they are still enjoying,  including the so-called "golden passports."

Source: "Evropeyska Pravda," President of Ukraine official website

The President thanked Cyprus and the EU for their principled response to Russian full-scale invasion, the decision to ban Russian warships from their ports, financial and humanitarian aid, and a resolution in support of Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Cyprus has very powerful tools to put pressure on Russian citizens.

"All ports of the democratic world must be completely closed to Russian ships. This must be a joint decision at EU level. But at the level of your state, it is also possible to at least freeze all use of Russian-owned yachts and other vessels in your waters. You can suspend current privileges for Russian citizens. Starting from the so-called "golden passports" for all Russians without exception and ending with dual citizenship for them. If it can be verified and clearly proven that some of them condemn the war crimes of their military personnel and do not intend to use your jurisdiction to avoid sanctions and other restrictions against Russia, only then will it be permissible to treat these people the way you treated them before," he stressed.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also called on the European Union to prepare for an imminent embargo on energy supplies from Russia.

In late March, the European Commission called on EU members to consider whether to revoke citizenship granted under the "golden passport" scheme to citizens of Russia or Belarus who are on the EU sanctions list in relation to the war in Ukraine.

On April 7, the Ukrainian President addressed the Greek Parliament, urging the country to prevent the destruction of Mariupol and save injured people and survivors.