German government spokesman Steffen Seibert commented on the decision, saying that the restrictions contradict European Union values. According to Seibert, "media freedom in Europe is one of the most important values." He also stressed that the sanctions are not contributing to normalization between Kiev and Moscow.
Earlier, Human Rights Watch commented on the decision, calling on Poroshenko to "immediately reverse the ban" on Russian social networks and IT companies.
"This is yet another example of the ease with which President Poroshenko unjustifiably tries to control public discourse in Ukraine. Poroshenko may try to justify this latest step, but it is a cynical, politically expedient attack on the right to information affecting millions of Ukrainians, and their personal and professional lives," said Tanya Cooper, Ukraine researcher at Human Rights Watch.
"It is about the fundamental set of values of the EU. Brussels promotes them and, I would say, imposes those principles on its partners. Even if Berlin did not want to comment on Kiev’s actions it would have no choice. In fact, Germany is the leader in Europe. This is why Berlin has to articulate criticism," Trofimchuk said.
At the same time, according to the analyst, currently it is unclear whether President Poroshenko will listen to the German government and human rights activists.
"Of course, Poroshenko will hear the criticism but the question is whether he will listen to it. He would not have made such a radical move without external support," Trofimchuk concluded.
"I hope that there will be reaction in the international arena because this is a serious problem. Ukraine is turning into one of the most closed countries in the world. This decision proves that no democracy has been built in Ukraine in the last three years. Instead, democracy has been destroyed," Ganzhara told Radio Sputnik.
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