Ukrainian parliament turmoil over Poroshenko sanctions

The opposition in the Supreme Council of Ukraine blocked the parliamentary sessions in response to the sanctions imposed on Petro Poroshenko by the National Security and Defence Council. The former president, now an opposition leader, has become the target of actions that his supporters describe as "political repression."

Due to the martial law in place, parliamentary sessions are closed to the media, and information about their proceedings is shared by the deputies themselves on social media. In one of the recordings, members of Poroshenko's party, European Solidarity, are seen with posters saying "No to Political Repression" and "Ukraine is not Russia."

Deputy Iryna Gerashchenko from Poroshenko's group criticised the decision on the sanctions, calling them "political repression." "Zelensky and his managers are heading to a conference in Munich instead of preparing for difficult talks with international partners; they block Poroshenko's trip," she wrote on the X platform.

Petro Poroshenko, who lost to Volodymyr Zelensky in the 2019 presidential elections, is now his main political opponent. According to commentators, Ukrainian politicians have already started preparing for elections. The voting could take place as soon as a ceasefire in the war with Russia occurs.

On Wednesday, Zelensky emphasised that anyone who undermined Ukraine's national security must face consequences. "Billions earned, in effect, from selling out Ukraine, should be frozen and used to support Ukraine's defence," Zelensky declared, without mentioning Poroshenko by name.