Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky approved sanctions against his predecessor Petro Poroshenko today, sparking a stormy parliamentary session that was stormed by supporters of the former head of state, Agence France-Presse reported.
The sanctions include a ban on Poroshenko, who was president from 2014 to 2019, from leaving Ukraine and from accessing his property. This marks a clear escalation of the internal struggles in Ukraine - three years after the Russian invasion of the country, AFP notes.
In addition, Poroshenko is banned from appearing on television and using the internet.
“We are defending our country and restoring justice: all those who destroyed the national security of Ukraine and helped Russia must be held accountable“, Zelensky explained last night, before announcing today the measures, which were also imposed on several other high-ranking state officials and businessmen.
For his part, Poroshenko described the sanctions as “politically motivated“ and “illegal“. He accused Zelensky of “dealing a blow to the internal unity“ of the Ukrainian elite.
At today's session of the Ukrainian parliament, Poroshenko's supporters stormed the plenary hall of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament). They chanted "Shame" and interrupted the debates in protest, Ukrainian media reported.
Former comedian and humorist Volodymyr Zelensky won the 2019 presidential election against Petro Poroshenko thanks to his promise to end the fight against pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country and to end widespread corruption.
Poroshenko, who heads the opposition "European Solidarity" party and made his fortune from his confectionery business, has recently traveled abroad to lobby for more support for Ukraine, AFP reported.