Zelenskyy calls on West to close borders to all Russians

YEVHEN KIZILOV – MONDAY, 8 AUGUST 2022, 22:50

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, believes that the only way to discourage Russia from annexing other countries’ territory is to ban Russians from visiting Western countries.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview for American newspaper The Washington Post

Quote: "The most important sanctions are to close the borders… they should live in their own world until they change their philosophy."

Details: Zelenskyy remarked that the sanctions already imposed on Russia for starting the full-scale war in Ukraine are "weak" compared with closing borders to Russian citizens even for only a year and a full embargo on the purchase of Russian energy.

Russian airlines have been banned from flying over most of Europe and North America, which has made it more challenging for Russians to travel abroad. But there is no blanket ban in place such as Zelenskyy is suggesting; Russian citizens are still free to apply for a visa and visit the United States, for example.

The writer points out, however, that some critics have argued that banning all Russians would unfairly impact those who have left their country because they disagree with President Vladimir Putin’s government and his decision to attack Ukraine.

However, The Washington Post continues, Zelenskyy believes that all Russians without exception should go back to Russia and stay there. They have to take responsibility for Putin’s actions, since they elected him and are not fighting against his regime.

Quote: "The population picked this government and they’re not fighting it, not arguing with it, not shouting at it…

Then go and live there [in Russia]. This is the only way to influence Putin."

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