Zelensky instructs Cabinet of Ministers and SBU to consider stripping Potap of his honored artist title

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has instructed the Cabinet of Ministers and the Security Service of Ukraine to consider the question of stripping rapper Oleksiy Potapenko, known as Potap, of the title “Honored Artist of Ukraine.”

The move was prompted by an electronic petition that gathered the required 25,000 signatures on the president’s website.

The petition was filed on August 28 by a certain Kateryna Taran. She cited a number of reasons for stripping the rapper of his honorary title, though their specific content is not disclosed in the original text.

In his response to the petition, Zelensky thanked all those who supported it.

“For an active civic stance, for supporting initiatives aimed at protecting the Ukrainian cultural and information space from Russian influences and narratives,” — the president’s response reads.

The official response also clarifies the legal aspect of the matter. The title “Honored Artist of Ukraine” is a state award, and under current legislation it can only be revoked on the basis of a court conviction for certain categories of crimes, or as part of sanctions imposed by a decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. The revocation of a state award may be applied as a sanction, including against individuals whose actions popularize or promote the aggressor state, create a positive image of it, or justify or recognize the occupation of Ukrainian territories as lawful.

The petition materials were forwarded to Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky and acting SBU chief Major General Oleksandr Poklad. They have been instructed to consider the issue raised in the petition within their respective powers and in accordance with the procedure established by law.

Previously, the Verkhovna Rada was unable to gather the required number of votes to strip Potap of the title. In addition, Potap and singer Nastya Kamensky were added to the Myrotvorets website — the publication cited their stated intention to continue speaking Russian as the reason.