Kyiv, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Ukraine has imposed sanctions on former President and opposition politician Petro Poroshenko, as stated in a presidential decree published on Thursday. The sanctions include asset freezes and a ban on withdrawing capital from the country.
Poroshenko, a key figure in Ukraine who served as president from 2014 to 2019 and now leads the largest opposition party in the Ukrainian parliament, lost his reelection bid to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in 2019.
While the decree did not provide specific reasons for the sanctions, Zelenskiy indicated earlier that individuals undermining Ukrainian national security would face sanctions. He emphasized redirecting illicit gains towards safeguarding Ukraine.
Additional sanctions were announced against other significant figures, such as jailed tycoon Ihor Kolomoisky, former PrivatBank co-owner Gennadiy Bogolyubov, Vladimir Putin ally Viktor Medvedchuk, and businessman Kostiantyn Zhevaho.
Poroshenko, acknowledging the sanctions on him, criticized Zelenskiy for what he characterized as an unconstitutional and politically motivated action. The former president, known as "the Chocolate King" due to his confectionary business, views Zelenskiy as a longstanding political competitor.
Before the Russian invasion, Poroshenko was the subject of multiple criminal investigations related to his business activities, which he has consistently denied.
These sanctions coincide with increased political dynamics in Ukraine, fueled partly by efforts to resolve the conflict with Russia, creating potential opportunities for future elections. However, martial law in Ukraine, in effect since Russia's invasion in February 2022, currently prohibits holding elections. Zelenskiy's term would have typically ended in May of the previous year.