Zelensky says Ukraine's NSDC banned several parties' activities in country

KYIV. March 20 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky late on Saturday night announced the National Security and Defense Council's decision to suspend the activities of several political parties in the country, including the Opposition Platform - For Life and Shariy Party.

"NSDC has decided to suspend any activities of several political parties for the period of martial law, and specifically, The Opposition Platform - For Life!, the Shariy Party, Nashi, Opposition Bloc, Left Opposition, Union of Leftists, Derzhava, Progressive-Socialist Party, The Socialist Party of Ukraine, The Socialists, and the Volodymyr Saldo Bloc," Zelensky said.

The Justice Ministry of Ukraine has been tasked with urgently taking exhaustive measures to ban the activities of said political parties, he said.

"Any activities of politicians aimed at dividing or collaboration will have no success but will meet a firm response," the Ukrainian president said.

"Everyone should care for the interests of the nation, the interests of Ukraine. Because this is for our sake, for the sake of life," Zelensky said.