In a scathing critique that threatens to deepen political fissures within Ukraine’s wartime leadership, former president Petro Poroshenko has accused President Volodymyr Zelensky of authoritarian behavior, likening his actions to those of the Kremlin. In an exclusive interview with The Times UK, Poroshenko claimed Zelensky is working to “eliminate political opponents” and consolidate unchecked power under the guise of wartime necessity.
“Why is he doing this? Because he hates me on a biological, chemical level,” said Poroshenko, who served as Ukraine’s fifth president from 2014 to 2019. The government imposed sanctions on him earlier this year, barring him from travel, freezing his accounts, and preventing him from attending parliamentary sessions — moves he believes are intended to sideline him ahead of a potential presidential election.
Poroshenko’s comparison was stark: “You are simply violating the constitution. And there is absolutely no difference [in what he is doing] from Russia,” he told The Times.
While Ukraine’s democracy remains more pluralistic than Russia’s tightly controlled political system, concerns are growing about the centralization of power around Zelensky amid the ongoing war with Russia. Zelensky’s allies argue these measures are driven by the exceptional circumstances of war, not a desire to dismantle democracy.
Despite his bitter personal rivalry with Zelensky, Poroshenko maintains he is not an enemy of the state. “I am shoulder to shoulder with you,” he insisted. “Not because I don’t have any complaints against you — that [will come] later on, after the end of the war. But now unity is the key factor for our success.”
Sanctions and Political Fallout
Poroshenko’s accusations come as Ukraine prepares for a potential presidential vote, though martial law has delayed elections since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. While no date has been set, there is increasing speculation that Zelensky’s administration is clearing the field of challengers.
According to Poroshenko, the sanctions placed on him serve no legitimate security purpose but are instead designed to block his candidacy. “Today Poroshenko, tomorrow Zaluzhny, [the] day after tomorrow anybody,” he warned. “This is authoritarianism.”
Poroshenko’s supporters argue the restrictions are a political tool, while Zelensky’s administration insists the sanctions are based on legitimate national security concerns. Still, the implications of sidelining a major opposition figure during wartime have sparked debate across Ukraine’s political spectrum.
A History of Rivalry
The bad blood between the two men is well documented. Zelensky, a former comedian who rose to power with an anti-establishment message, trounced Poroshenko in the 2019 election after a bitter campaign marked by public sparring. A fragile unity emerged at the start of the Russian invasion, but relations have since deteriorated.
Poroshenko, worth an estimated $1.8 billion, is a prominent donor to Ukraine’s armed forces and a long-time advocate for closer ties with the West. He points to diplomatic victories during his presidency — such as convincing the U.S. to provide lethal aid and securing non-recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea — as credentials that justify his criticisms of Zelensky’s foreign policy handling.
He singled out a February Oval Office meeting between Zelensky and former President Donald Trump as a “catastrophe,” blaming poor preparation and mismanagement by Zelensky’s aides, particularly his chief of staff Andriy Yermak and ambassador to Washington Oksana Markarova. “There is a serious communication problem,” Poroshenko said.
Support from Klitschko and Others
Poroshenko is not alone in his concerns. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, who is also rumored to have presidential aspirations, has echoed warnings about creeping authoritarianism. Speaking to The Times in May, Klitschko said, “I said once that it smells of authoritarianism in our country. Now it stinks.”
Both men have been the targets of police investigations and administrative pressure in recent months. While Poroshenko denies collaborating with Klitschko on a political front, he noted that more prominent voices are beginning to challenge Zelensky’s leadership.
“Zelensky should listen to that, because if you are closed from the people that can have the effect of a steaming pot,” Poroshenko said ominously. “Whether it will boil over remains to be seen.”
Despite his political ambitions, Poroshenko is still trailing in opinion polls, behind Zelensky and former top general Valerii Zaluzhny, who is now Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK. Zaluzhny’s popularity and wartime leadership have made him a widely respected figure, though he has not expressed interest in running for office.
As Ukraine navigates an existential war, the tension between democratic principles and national security imperatives is coming under increasing scrutiny. Poroshenko’s comments to The Times UK have reignited that debate — one that could shape the country’s political future long after the war’s end.
