Zelensky sanctions former Ukrainian president and group of billionaires who fled to Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has approved the decision of the National Security and Defense Council on February 12 to impose sanctions on businessmen Ihor Kolomoisky and Kostyantyn Zhevago, as well as former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

In a video message, Poroshenko did not specify what restrictions would be imposed, but sanctions could be applied on the basis of national treason.

"The National Security and Defense Council has just made an unconstitutional and politically motivated decision to impose sanctions against me, Petro Poroshenko, the opposition leader and former fifth president of Ukraine," Poroshenko's statement said.

In addition to the former president, the sanctions list also includes several businessmen linked to Russian authorities, reports kyivindependent.

Never has this happened before, but it's happened again. After a visit to Washington and meetings with Trump's team, today I was denied permission to travel to the Munich Security Conference. However, the traditional practice of banning Poroshenko from making visits abroad for... pic.twitter.com/qYYgosMTgv

- Petro Poroshenko (@poroshenko) February 12, 2025

Businessman Ihor Kolomoisky is suspected of fraud and money laundering worth 359,4 million US dollars.

The State Bureau of Investigation is also investigating the illegal departure from Ukraine of former co-owner of Privatbank, Hennadiy Boholyubov.

According to Ukrainian media, Boholyubov illegally left Ukraine in July last year.

In addition to Boholyubov, the sanctions list also includes billionaire Zhevago, who is suspected of embezzling funds in several Ukrainian banks.

Poroshenko served as president of Ukraine from 2014 to 2019 before losing the election to Zelensky, sparking a long-running feud between the two men. /Telegraph/