Zelensky Prohibits Import of Books from Russia and Belarus

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has prohibited the import of publishing products from Russia and Belarus. The corresponding law was signed by the head of state today, June 22. This was reported by kommersant.ru.

“I have signed the law on amendments to some laws of Ukraine regarding the imposition of restrictions on the import and distribution of publishing products from the aggressor state, the Republic of Belarus, and the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. I consider this law to be necessary,” Zelensky wrote on his Telegram channel.

The text of the law has been sent to EU bodies for further assessment of whether certain provisions of the law might affect the fulfillment of obligations regarding the protection of minority rights. Ukrainian citizens have demanded that the law be enacted. A corresponding petition was submitted on the President's website on May 16, with 25,000 signatures collected.

However, just yesterday, on June 21, Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he could not sign the law “due to a number of reservations.” The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has proposed to exercise the right of veto over the mentioned law, arguing that “the norms established in it regarding the import and distribution of publishing products will have implications for the Constitution of Ukraine.” This position has also been supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, which pointed out that the current wording of the law “does not comply with EU norms and standards in the field of human rights.”