MOSCOW

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky explained sanctions against the country's media outlets by "fight against propaganda".

In a tweet on Wednesday, Zelensky said the broadcast of three TV channels -- 112 Ukraine and its regional branches, ZIK, NewsOne, and a media holding Novosti -- was suspended for five years because they have Russian funding.

"Sanctions is a difficult decision. Ukraine strongly supports freedom of speech, not propaganda financed by the aggressor country that undermines Ukraine on its way to EU and Euro-Atlantic integration. Fight for independence is fight in the information war for truth and European values," Zelensky said.

Sanctions is a difficult decision. #Ukraine strongly supports #FreedomOfSpeech. Not propaganda financed by the aggressor country that undermines Ukraine on its way to #EU & EuroAtlantic integration.Fight for independence is fight in the information war for truth & European values

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 3, 2021

On Tuesday, a statement from the Ukrainian President's Office said the National Security and Defense Committee approved the decision to impose sanctions on Taras Kozak, a member of the Ukrainian parliament, and television channels owned by him.

Zelensky's spokeswoman Yulia Mendel noted: "It has been confirmed that the financing of the channels is carried out by Russia, and the channels are used as a tool in the war against Ukraine."

In a separate statement, MP Vadim Rabinovich announced that the Opposition Platform-For Life, a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine, initiated the procedure of Zelensky's impeachment because of this decision, which he characterized as "an attempt to shut mouths of those who raise the truth."