Former Ukrainian leader claims Zelensky is ‘authoritarianism’
(MENAFN) Former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko has accused current leader Vladimir Zelensky of authoritarian behavior, alleging he is using state power to suppress political opponents, including himself. In an interview with The Times published on Tuesday, Poroshenko claimed Zelensky views him as a potential challenger in future elections and is taking steps to sideline him.
Poroshenko, who lost to Zelensky in the 2019 election, pointed out that despite their political rivalry, he continues to support Ukraine’s leadership during the ongoing conflict with Russia. However, he criticized the personal sanctions imposed on him by Zelensky’s administration in February, which included a foreign travel ban and restrictions on media appearances.
Poroshenko argued these moves are aimed at weakening political opposition ahead of any possible elections if martial law is lifted. While polls show Poroshenko trailing behind former commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny in hypothetical scenarios, he warned that the pattern of targeting rivals is dangerous. “Today it’s Poroshenko, tomorrow Zaluzhny, and the day after anyone else,” he said, calling it a sign of growing authoritarianism.
The Times questioned Poroshenko’s claims, describing Ukraine’s political environment as “diverse and rambunctious.”
During the 2019 campaign, Zelensky had declared himself a “sentence” for Poroshenko, hinting at possible legal consequences for corruption and abuse of power, though no trial followed. Poroshenko now claims Zelensky harbors a deep personal animosity toward him.
Following the interview, Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko, another critic of Zelensky, visited Poroshenko in a show of support. Poroshenko warned Zelensky could face growing public unrest if he continues to ignore dissenting voices.
Even before the escalation of the conflict in 2022, Zelensky’s government had shuttered opposition media and pursued investigations against political rivals, often labeling them “pro-Russian.” Ukraine’s main opposition bloc was later dismantled, leaving Poroshenko’s European Solidarity party as the largest opposition faction in parliament behind Zelensky’s Servant of the People party.
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