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Zelensky mulls punishing pro-Western ex-president – media Zelensky could punish pro-Western ex-president – media
(about 4 hours later)
Officials in Kiev are considering imposing sanctions on Pyotr Poroshenko, who was previously accused of treason over alleged coal deals in Donbass Officials in Kiev are considering imposing sanctions on Pyotr Poroshenko, who was previously accused of treason
Kiev is considering imposing sanctions on former President Pyotr Poroshenko, Ukrainian news outlet Strana has reported. The former leader has been under legal scrutiny ever since he left office.  Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky is considering imposing sanctions on former President Pyotr Poroshenko, the news outlet Strana has reported. 
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 threatened to extend a raft of sanctions to include Poroshenko and sources in his office told Strana on Sunday that measures against the former president, and potential future candidate for the office, are being considered. 
Zelensky recently announced new sanctions on 18 Russian and Ukrainian citizens. Although the list did not include Poroshenko, he said it could be extended. Sources in Zelensky’s office told Strana on Sunday that measures against Poroshenko are being considered.  The current head of the European Solidarity party, Poroshenko led Ukraine from 2014 to 2019 following the overthrow of President Viktor Yanukovich in a Western-backed coup. During his presidency, he sought to strengthen ties with the EU and NATO and advocated for strong sanctions against Russia.
However, critics within Zelensky’s administration reportedly warn that 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 harmful, as further US support is unclear with President-elect Donald Trump taking office.   Poroshenko was charged with high treason in December 2021 over alleged coal deals in Donbass during his presidency. His assets were frozen in January 2022 and he has vowed to a court not to flee the country.
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.   In a 2022 interview, Poroshenko admitted that while president he used the 2014 Minsk agreements, designed to end the fighting in Donbass, as a tactical move to re-arm the Ukrainian army and preapre for conflict with Russia. 
Sergey Leshchenko, an adviser to Zelensky’s office, recently hinted at discussions about punishing Poroshenko, saying he “deserves sanctions.” Leshchenko suggested that the former president’s protection under US President Joe Biden’s administration may be waning.  Critics within Zelensky’s administration reportedly warn that sanctions could allow Poroshenko, who has moved significant assets offshore, could claim political persecution which complicate Ukraine’s relations with the EU. 
Zelensky’s office has not announced a decision on the matter. Sergey Leshchenko, an adviser to Zelensky’s office, recently hinted at discussions about punishing Poroshenko, saying he “deserves sanctions.” Leshchenko suggested that the former president’s protection under US 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.   Other 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.  
Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation completed a preliminary investigation into the treason case earlier this month, according to officials. Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation completed a preliminary investigation into the treason case earlier this month, according to officials. 
Moscow placed its own sanctions on Poroshenko in September 2020.Moscow placed its own sanctions on Poroshenko in September 2020.