Zelenskyy Sanctions 7 Ukrainians, Including Former Aide
Above: Oleksiy Arestovych, a former adviser to Ukraine's Office of the President, pictured in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Dec. 11, 2020. Image copyright: Evgen Kotenko/Contributor/Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
These new sanctions packages target companies and individuals that have assisted Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. Unfortunately, on the list are seven Ukrainians who have aligned themselves with Russian propaganda, justified the war, and undermined Ukraine's defense by engaging in information operations.
Establishment-critical narrative
Zelenskyy was elected on a platform to fight corruption and to take on the oligarchs. However, since coming into office, he has consolidated his power by using sanctions to take away assets and property from political rivals and independent media, making the country more authoritarian.
