Zelensky mulls punishing pro-Western ex-president – media

Ukrainian political circles are debating sanctioning Pyotr Poroshenko, who had previously been accused of treason in coal trade case

Kiev is considering imposing sanctions against former President Pyotr Poroshenko, the Ukrainian news outlet Strana has reported. The former leader has been under legal scrutiny ever since he left office. 

Poroshenko, the current head of the European Solidarity party, led Ukraine from 2014 to 2019 following the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovich during the Maidan coup. During his presidency, he sought to strengthen ties with the EU and NATO and advocated for strong sanctions against Russia. In a 2022 interview, he admitted that the Minsk peace agreements signed during his tenure to end the fighting in Donbass were a tactical move aimed at buying time for Ukraine to strengthen its military for a conflict with Russia. 

Zelensky recently announced new sanctions on 18 Russian and Ukrainian citizens. Although the list didn’t include Poroshenko, Zelensky said that it might be extended. Sources in Zelensky’s office told Strana on Sunday that measures against Poroshenko are being considered. 

 However, critics within Zelensky’s administration reportedly warn the move could backfire. They note that Poroshenko has moved significant assets offshore and could use the sanctions to claim political persecution. This, they argue, could potentially complicate Ukraine’s relations with the EU – which could be very harmful, considering that the US support prospects remain unclear with president Donald Trump taking office.  

Some Ukrainian officials reportedly advocate pursuing criminal cases instead of sanctions, while others propose also imposing parallel measures against individuals accused of “pro-Russian activities,” according to sources familiar with the discussions.  

Sergey Leshchenko, an adviser to Zelensky’s office, recently hinted at discussions about punishing Poroshenko, saying that he “deserves sanctions.” Leshchenko suggested that the former president’s previous US protection under President Joe Biden’s administration may be waning. 

Zelensky’s office has not announced a decision on the matter.

Poroshenko has faced mounting legal pressure since leaving office in 2019. In December 2021, he was charged with high treason over alleged coal deals in Donbass during his presidency. A Ukrainian court ordered his assets frozen in January 2022. He returned to Ukraine after a month abroad and was released after vowing not to flee, the lightest pretrial supervision measure available.  

Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation completed its preliminary investigation into the treason case earlier this month, according to officials. 

Moscow placed its own sanctions on Poroshenko in September 2020.