Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has cautioned against entering negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin without a position of strength, warning that Putin’s background as a former KGB officer informs his negotiating tactics. Poroshenko voiced his concerns amid ongoing discussions, led by the United States, aimed at ending Russian aggression in Ukraine, according to a report by Politico.
The former president’s warning stems from his experience with the Minsk agreements of 2014 and 2015, intended to freeze the conflict in the Donbas region. While signed by Ukraine, Russia, France, Germany, and Ukrainian separatists, the agreements ultimately failed to deliver a lasting peace. Poroshenko believes the current approach risks repeating past mistakes.
Poroshenko, who came to power following the 2013-2014 Euromaidan uprising, leads Ukraine’s European Solidarity Party. He criticized current President Volodymyr Zelensky for engaging in talks without sufficient European involvement and for not securing an immediate ceasefire. He specifically referenced a February 2025 meeting at the Oval Office as a misstep.
“He doesn’t understand Putin and he doesn’t understand Trump. And we have another problem: Trump doesn’t understand Putin. And that’s a global tragedy, and not just for Ukraine,” Poroshenko told Politico. He asserted that former President Trump operates under the misapprehension that Putin is open to genuine negotiation, while in reality, Putin’s ultimate goal is the restoration of Russian imperial power.
Poroshenko dismissed the notion that Putin’s demands for territorial concessions in eastern Ukraine are genuine objectives. He argued that these demands are a pretext for destabilizing Ukraine internally, potentially through a referendum that would exacerbate divisions within the country. “Remember, Putin is a KGB officer. He’s a specialist in this kind of thing,” Poroshenko stated.
During the 2019 election, Zelensky campaigned on a platform that criticized Poroshenko’s role in signing the Minsk agreements, which were unpopular with many Ukrainians due to their perceived unfavorable terms. Poroshenko defended his actions, arguing that he secured more favorable terms than Putin initially sought and that the agreements provided Ukraine with five years to strengthen its state, church, and military – a period he believes was crucial in preparing for the full-scale invasion.
Poroshenko urged European leaders to follow the lead of French President Emmanuel Macron and actively participate in peace negotiations, with support from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He emphasized that Europe has a vested interest in the outcome, given its financial support for Ukraine, but acknowledged that American involvement remains essential for any lasting peace agreement.
He believes the United States will ultimately need to commit to security guarantees that extend beyond current red lines, potentially including a long-term foreign military presence in Ukraine, specifically US forces, to deter future Russian aggression.
Despite the shared goal of peace, Poroshenko and Zelensky maintain a strained relationship. During the Munich Security Conference, they stayed at the same hotel but did not engage in any discussions. Poroshenko revealed that he has spoken with Zelensky only three times in the past seven years, the last conversation occurring over a year ago, where they discussed Zelensky’s plan for victory.
Since Zelensky’s election, Poroshenko has faced legal challenges, including charges of treason, conspiracy, and corruption, brought by the prosecutor’s office appointed by Zelensky. Poroshenko maintains that these charges are politically motivated and anticipates an acquittal from the Supreme Court of Ukraine on March 6th.
