It’s not surprising, as Russia has always been a friend and partner to him, - writes political scientist Petr Oleschuk, reminding us of the most notable statements made by Poroshenko regarding Russia.

“Poroshenko was sent guidelines recommending that he destabilize the situation surrounding Ukraine's international relations, ‘attack’ the authorities, and create an overall information backdrop where ‘the worse the country is, the better it is for the sanctioned politician and oligarch.’ Despite Poroshenko's feigned patriotism, his statements echo the narratives of Putin's propagandists like Sharia. This is to be expected. If we analyze his position over the decades, Russia has literally been a friend and partner to Petro Oleksiyovych,” - Oleschuk writes.

He cites Poroshenko's words from 2009, when he headed Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

“The Russian Federation is Ukraine's largest and most important strategic partner.”

The expert points out that this has been the politician's long-standing position. Because even earlier, in 2006, Poroshenko openly referred to Russia as a strategic partner with which Ukraine is destined to be friends.

“Has the war changed everything? Did Poroshenko renounce his words? No. He warmly shook hands and embraced Putin, congratulating him on ‘International Workers' Day,’ while our military units were being destroyed in Donbas. Poroshenko worked with Russia and for Russia throughout the war in various ways: through Medvedchuk; independently and directly; he connected with Russian elites through his sons, who are currently evading the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It was Poroshenko who paid millions in taxes to the army of the occupiers, which today is destroying Ukrainian cities,” - the expert notes.

Oleschuk concludes that when Poroshenko now claims that Russia has been an enemy of Ukraine for 11 years and long before that, it should be understood that for almost his entire life, Russia has been a good business partner and a significant source of income for Poroshenko himself. At the same time, everything Poroshenko did during his presidency should be viewed through the lens of his dependence on Russia.

As is known, sanctions have been applied to Poroshenko, who is suspected of treason, for cooperating with the Russian Federation during the war and harming national interests.