Russia blacklists UWC board member Argyrou for ‘anti-Russian’ activities

Russia banned entry to Kateryna Argyrou, a UWC Board of Directors member and the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) Co-Chair, along with 130 other Australians, according to a report by Politico.

The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry announced that the individuals banned include “representatives of the military-industrial complex, journalists and public figures who are forming an anti-Russian agenda in this country.”

Argyrou welcomed this decision, calling it an indication that the AFUO is effectively advancing  “strong advocacy for their homeland against Russia’s genocidal invasion.” 

She continued: “This move by Russia is a desperate attempt to intimidate and silence those who are making headway in frustrating Moscow’s illegal war on Ukraine.”

She affirmed her commitment to continue speaking out against “Russia’s barbaric war, against the genocide of Ukrainians, against the indiscriminate bombing of our country and people, against the forced deportation of Ukrainian children, and against every Russian war crime and act of terrorism.

The AFUO will “continue to advocate for additional diplomatic and legal support” for Ukraine, including tightening sanctions against Russia and its supporters, and re-purposing the billions in Russian assets held in Australia to help Ukraine’s reconstruction, the organization said.