PNN – The Ukrainian president revoked the citizenship of the mayor of Odessa because he held Russian citizenship.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, citing the New York Times, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a provocative move, revoked the citizenship of the mayor of the Ukrainian city of Odessa, Hnady Trukhanov, for what he called Russian citizenship.
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The move, which effectively removes the mayor of Odessa from public office, is the most severe escalation in the conflict between national authorities in Kiev and local officials across Ukraine.
Local officials say Zelensky is abusing wartime powers to tighten control over cities and regions led by opposition politicians.
Trukhanov, who has held the position since 2014, denied in a statement that he holds Russian citizenship and said he would appeal to the Supreme Court of Ukraine. Ukraine’s constitution bars citizens from holding Russian citizenship.