Sanctions against the leader of “European Solidarity,” the fifth president Petro Poroshenko, appear to be a way to block his participation in the elections, Olga Aivazovska, Chairperson of the Civic Network OPORA, said in an interview with LB.
Source: PRYAMYI
She is part of a working group in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine preparing legislation for post-war elections.
According to Aivazovska, a separate article regarding restrictions on participation in the electoral process and registration of sanctioned individuals was being developed in 2023–2024.
“This article, even before the Central Election Commission finalized the bill, was drafted in such a form. In 2023–2024 it was discussed, and OPORA did not participate. It was written so that Petro Poroshenko, on whom sanctions were imposed in February 2025, would definitely not have the opportunity to participate in the elections,” Aivazovska said.
“It is clear that we have a precedent that does not seem adequate from the point of view of reasoning, because courts are ongoing, and the arguments are being discussed. In the sanctions package, it was not even clear on what grounds sanctions were imposed on the fifth president. But this provision appeared to be aimed specifically against him regarding his participation in the elections,” the expert said.
“Now this article is part of a new draft law, which will appear at some point, and looks completely different. It is now about the statements of individuals submitting documents for registration as candidates. The issue of sanctions is no longer in this article, but again, the draft has not yet reached parliamentary consideration. It can still be amended, as politicians may see certain risks or prospects in some of the proposed provisions,” Aivazovska said.
“But this article is not the only thing preventing him from participating in the elections. Petro Poroshenko will not be able to take part because, under the sanctions, everything is prohibited for him: concluding agreements, signing documents, using his own funds, transport, communication, and so on. It is very difficult to imagine a candidate with such restrictions,” Olga Aivazovska noted.
Discussion about this post