Petro Poroshenko condemned NATO and backed Medvedchuk's rhetoric in SDPU(U)

A rare transcript has been published in which People's Deputy and member of the pro-Russian Social Democratic Party of Ukraine (United) Petro Poroshenko publicly demands to "stop NATO's aggression". Speaking on behalf of the party leader Viktor Medvedchuk, he condemned the Alliance's actions in Yugoslavia and switched to Russian:

"Фракция СДПУ(о) решительно осуждает агрессивные действия НАТО по отношению к Югославии! К чему приводит развитие военных действий и эскалация напряженности в Балканском регионе уже известно: вспомните критическое развитие событий во время Первой и Второй мировых войн," (The SDPU(U) faction resolutely condemns NATO's aggressive actions towards Yugoslavia! The consequences of the development of military actions and the escalation of tensions in the Balkan region are already known: recall the critical development of events during the First and Second World Wars,) – the then young politician stated.

Political expert Petro Oleshchuk notes that Poroshenko's constant change in rhetoric demonstrates his ability to adapt to the political circumstances he needs. At different times, he found common ground with both Putin and Yanukovych, remaining in their circles.

Today, the former president is suspected of high treason. A national campaign in Ukraine to introduce sanctions against the oligarch is gaining momentum, and approximately 15,000 signatures have already been collected out of the required 25,000.