The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine recently adopted a law on stripping artists and public figures of state awards, and on November 20, Zelensky signed it.
The reason is support for the Russian Federation. In addition to Patriarch Kirill, Russian pop stars and politicians, the list also includes prominent Ukrainian political figures.
Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law on permanent deprivation of Ukrainian state awards for supporting the Russian Federation, TASS reports.
It is known that the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill fell under the law.
Next on the list:
Ambassador of Russia to the Republic of Belarus Boris Gryzlov,
Chairperson of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko,
and with them Nikolai Baskov, Philip Kirkorov, Alexander Malinin, Igor Krutoy, Valery Gergiev and Vladimir Spivakov.
Zelensky and his compatriots also got it.
Among others, the head of the movement "Other Ukraine", the former leader of the banned in the country party "Opposition Platform - For Life" Viktor Medvedchuk was noted,
former deputies Taras Kozak, Andriy Derkach and Oleg Tsarev,
former Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov,
former Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Tabachnik,
Governor of the Zaporizhia region Yevgeny Balitsky,
as well as singers Ani Lorak and Taisiya Povaliy.
For reference
An award is something given (or assigned) as a reward for merit, distinction, or as a sign of gratitude by someone for something.