Ukraine imposes sanctions on 182 Russian, Belarusian firms and 3 persons amid conflict

To block Moscow’s and Minsk’s connections with Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has imposed sanctions against 182 Russian and Belarusian companies and three individuals.

Addressing a meeting with the officials via video conference, “Their assets in Ukraine are blocked; their properties will be used for our defence.”

As per a media report, the sanctioned companies chiefly engage in the transportation of goods, vehicle leasing and chemical production, according to the list published by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.

The list includes Russian potash fertiliser producer and exporter Uralkali, Belarus state-owned potash producer Belaruskali, Belarusian Railways, as well as Russia’s VTB-Leasing and Gazprombank Leasing both dealing with transport leasing, the media report added.

Moreover, Ukraine has sanctioned hundreds of Russian and Belarusian individuals and firms since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February last year.

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Ukrainian President on Putin’s health

Earlier, on the 3rd day of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared via video link, where he questioned whether Vladimir Putin was still alive.

Russian President Putin’s health has been the subject of speculation even before the Ukraine conflict began in February 2023. Moreover, there have been claims that Putin is suffering from a variety of chronic illnesses including cancer and early-stage Parkinson’s disease, however, Kremlin denied the claims.

While addressing the meeting, the Ukrainian President urged his allies to send more weapons to his army before new Russian offensives. Also, the leader commented on the key topics of peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, and a helicopter crash in the capital, Kyiv, in which 14 people died.

Ukraine has not yet claimed Russian involvement, but the president stressed there are ‘no accidents at war time’.

Is Putin Still Alive?

Zelensky’s comment about the enemy’s tactics, perhaps the one that raised the most eyebrows was whether the Russian dictator had died.

Addressing the meeting, Ukrainian President Zelensky said “Right now I don’t understand who to talk to. I am not sure whether the president of Russia is still alive.”

‘I don’t understand that he’s still alive or that it is him, particularly making decisions,” the Ukrainian leader said.

Putin cancelled the annual press conference at the end of last year, which is 2021 saw him speak for nearly four hours, as well as his state address and several factory visits.