Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has issued a decree imposing sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as well as several other individuals and entities. The decree, which was published on the official website of the Ukrainian president, freezes Assad's assets and imposes a range of other measures.
The majority of individuals and entities on the sanctions list are Russian citizens, with a number of Iranian citizens and companies also included. The entities targeted by the sanctions include Russian research and production institutions, shipbuilding companies, and aviation industry companies.
The sanctions will prohibit participation in privatization in Ukraine, block assets, restrict commercial operations and the transit of resources, suspend the fulfillment of economic and financial obligations, and even deprive Ukrainian state awards.
While the reason for the sanctions has not been explicitly stated in the decree, it is widely believed to be related to Assad's close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The decision to impose sanctions on Assad and his allies is part of Ukraine's efforts to push back against Russia's growing influence in the region. By targeting Russian citizens and institutions, Ukraine is sending a clear message that it will not tolerate Russian aggression.
The sanctions also serve as a warning to Iran, which has been increasingly aligned with Russia in recent years. By including Iranian entities on the sanctions list, Ukraine is signaling that it will not hesitate to take action against any country that threatens its security and sovereignty.