The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine introduced restrictions against several well-known individuals, implementing the presidential decrees of February 12. The list includes key figures of Ukrainian politics and business, including the fifth president Petro Poroshenko, former People’s Deputy Viktor Medvedchuk, executors of “Privatbank” Ihor Kolomoiskyi and Gennadiy Bogolyubov, as well as businessman Kostiantyn Zhevago. Such a decision caused sharp discussions in political circles. Supporters of the sanctions call it a necessary step to protect national interests, while opponents accuse the authorities of selectiveness and political persecution. The reaction was not long in coming: some see it as an intensification of the fight against the oligarchs, while others see it as a threat to democratic processes. How did Ukrainian politicians react to this and what arguments do they give?
Elizaveta Bogutska, People’s Deputy from the “Servant of the People” party, yes commented imposing sanctions, fully supporting them:
“I just saw the statement of a friend of Ukraine, the President of the European People’s Party, Manfred Weber.
It expressed concern about the latest decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to impose sanctions on People’s Deputy of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and a number of other persons.
I will start with the fact that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the IX convocation for the first time in the history of Ukraine in 2019 removed the immunity of people’s deputies. This led to an increase in the number of deputies who found themselves under criminal prosecution – both representatives of the government and the opposition. After all, a crime is a crime, and political status cannot be an indulgence for avoiding legal responsibility.
Regarding yesterday’s decision of the National Security Council: the application of sanctions is in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Sanctions”, adopted back in 2014 and signed by the then President Poroshenko. At the same time, it should be understood that the decision of the National Security Council in no way replaces the consideration of criminal proceedings conducted by law enforcement agencies against Petro Poroshenko.
Let me remind you that on December 20, 2021, Petro Poroshenko, together with Viktor Medvedchuk and other persons, were charged by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) with treason, aiding the activities of a terrorist organization, and other criminal articles. However, according to the SDB, “the suspect P.O. Poroshenko never showed up to review the materials of the criminal proceedings and did not report the reasons for his non-appearance.” Therefore, these are not political, but legal issues. Final decisions should be made exclusively by the court, as is customary in countries with stable democracies.
And in the context of this discussion, I cannot help but mention the tragic story of Mikheil Saakashvili, whom Poroshenko carried out a real political persecution – stripped him of his citizenship, did not allow him to enter Ukraine… It is because of those criminal orders that the legendary Mikho and a citizen of Ukraine Saakashvili is rotting in a Georgian prison today. This is what is really unfortunate and painful.
And finally. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the entire family of the European People’s Party for the support and solidarity that Ukraine feels at this difficult time. For an unchanged position regarding the European future of Ukraine. Ukraine remains committed to our common values: democracy, the rule of law and human rights. And our foreign policy course towards membership in the European Union is unchanged. It’s sincere and honest.”
In contrast to Yelizaveta Bogutska, a completely different opinion is held by Yuriy Lutsenko, a politician, former People’s Deputy, member of the National Security Council, Prosecutor General and two-time Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. He is frank criticized the NSDC’s decision on sanctions, stressing that such an approach may have more political than legal basis.
“I keep thinking about Zelenskyi’s sanctions against Poroshenko, trying to understand – what was it? From a legal point of view, this is clearly an unconstitutional decision. The President of Ukraine is not King Henry II, who took away castles, lands, freedom, and life from vassals. As a result of such arbitrariness, the English established in the 12th century that only the court can do this. And in our Constitution, it is written exactly like this: guilt and punishment are not determined by the President in a closed session by him of the formed NSDC, and the court, in the presence of lawyers and prosecutors.
And although Zelensky doesn’t want to bother with democracy, he wants to punish and pardon at his own discretion, this medievalism is flaking off at the first complaint to Europe.
From the point of view of political technology, this aggression against the leader of the opposition also makes no sense.
All recent sociological studies give Poroshenko 10-12%, Zelensky 18-20%, Zaluzhny 35-38%. Political persecution of Poroshenko up to the planned arrest will only lead to Zaluzhny’s victory in the first round.
From a statesman’s point of view, it is absurd to start a domestic war with the leader of the opposition at the most difficult moment of forming the conditions for ending the war. Instead of unity in defending Ukrainian interests against Trump, Zelenskyy creates a reason for the “tired” West to stop fighting for Ukraine.
After all, what he is doing simply destroys our status as a country fighting for freedom and democracy. So why should America and the EU protect and arm such an authoritarian country?
The only version of these actions of Zelensky – elections in Belarus. When the opposition is deprived of finances, media and freedom. When voting is done on the Diya system, which hung even when voting for the Eurovision candidate. When the point of view of the EU or the US is not important. Yanukovych breaks pencils nervously.
I get a lot of calls: what to do about it? I answer: to do what was done before: to kill the occupiers, to help the front, not to be afraid and not to give up. And don’t be silent! Prepare for change.
Zelensky will not be the next President. Because the price paid for freedom and democracy will not allow Ukraine to become Russia or Belarus-2. Let’s keep in line.”
