Petro Poroshenko

Petro Poroshenko was born on 26 September 1965, into an ethnic Ukrainian family in Bolhrad, a primarily Bulgarian town in Ukraine's southwestern Odesa Oblast. Poroshenko's father, {{Interlanguage link|Oleksiy Ivanovich Poroshenko|lt=Oleksiy Poroshenko|de|Oleksij Poroschenko|uk|Порошенко Олексій Іванович|ru|Порошенко, Алексей Иванович|WD=}} (1936–2020),{{Cite web |title=У Порошенка помер батько |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2020/06/16/7255862/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235421/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2020/06/16/7255862/ |archive-date=14 February 2021 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Українська правда |language=uk}} was an engineer and later a government official who managed multiple factories in the Ukrainian SSR. Little is known about his mother, Yevhenia Serhiyivna Hryhorchuk (1937–2004), but a Ukrainian newspaper said she was an accountant, who taught at a vocational and technical school of accounting.{{cite web|url=https://vinbazar.com/news/nshe/mati-ta-starshii-brat-petra-porosa-trokhi-sa-na-nevidomi-storinki-biografiyi|script-title=uk:Матір та старший брат Петра Порошенка – білі плями біографії майбутнього Президента|language=uk|date=5 June 2014|publisher=Vinbazar|access-date=9 November 2017|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235412/https://vinbazar.com/news/nshe/mati-ta-starshii-brat-petra-porosa-trokhi-sa-na-nevidomi-storinki-biografiyi|url-status=live}} Poroshenko spent his childhood and youth in Tighina (Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, now known as Bender and under de facto control of the unrecognized breakaway state Transnistria),{{Cite news |date=2016-10-06 |title=All In The Family: The Sequel - Oct. 07, 2016 |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/540626.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20211027024220/https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/540626.html |archive-date=2021-10-27 |access-date=2025-05-17 |work=KyivPost |language=en-US}}{{cite web|author=Marcin Kosienkowski|url=https://www.academia.edu/1918412|title=Continuity and Change in Transnistria's Foreign Policy after the 2011 Presidential Elections|publisher=Academia.edu|date=2012|page=38|access-date=2 December 2017|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235430/https://www.academia.edu/1918412/Continuity_and_Change_in_Transnistria_s_Foreign_Policy_after_the_2011_Presidential_Elections|url-status=live}} where his father Oleksii was heading a machine building plant and where he learned Romanian.{{cite news|url=https://www.gandul.ro/international/petro-porosenko-vorbeste-in-limba-romana-13462563|title=Petro Poroșenko VORBEȘTE în LIMBA ROMÂNĂ|first=Silviu|last=Bănilă|newspaper=Gândul|date=26 October 2014|language=ro}}

In his youth, Poroshenko practiced judo and sambo, and was a Candidate for Master of Sport of the USSR. Despite good grades, he was not awarded the normal gold medal at graduation, and on his report card he was given a "C" for his behavior. After getting into a fight with four Soviet Army cadets at the military commissariat, he was sent to army service{{when|date=November 2022}} in the distant Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic.

In 1989, Poroshenko graduated, having begun studying in 1982, with a degree in economics from the international relations and law department (subsequently the Institute of International Relations) at the Kyiv University.{{cite news|url=http://tass.ru/en/economy/733301 |title=Ukraine's tycoon Poroshenko confirms plans to sell assets |agency=ITAR-TASS |date=26 May 2014 |access-date=26 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527220635/http://en.itar-tass.com/economy/733301 |archive-date=27 May 2014 |url-status=live }} At this university he was friends with Mikheil Saakashvili, whom he would appoint as Governor of the Odesa Oblast (region) in May 2015, and who is a former president of Georgia.{{Cite web |date=2015-05-31 |title=M.DW.DE - Політика й суспільство - Саакашвілі обійняв посаду голови Одеської облдержадміністрації |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531021718/http://m.dw.de/ukrainian/mobile.A-18487589-9874.html |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=web.archive.org}}

In 1984, Poroshenko married a medical student, Maryna Perevedentseva (born 1962). Their first son, Oleksiy, was born in 1985 (his three other children were born in 2000 and 2001).

From 1989 to 1992, Poroshenko was an assistant at the university's international economic relations department. While still a student, he founded a legal advisory firm mediating the negotiation of contracts in foreign trade, and then he undertook the negotiations himself, starting to supply cocoa beans to the Soviet chocolate industry in 1991. At the same time, he was deputy director of the 'Republic' Union of Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs, and the CEO of "Exchange House Ukraine".

Poroshenko's brother, Mykhailo, older by eight years, died in a 1997 car crash under mysterious circumstances.{{Cite web |title=Порошенко Петр |url=https://file.liga.net/persons/petr-poroshenko |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305055205/http://file.liga.net/person/404-petr-poroshenko.html |archive-date=5 March 2013 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=LIGA |language=ru}}

In 1993, Poroshenko, together with his father Oleksii and colleagues from the Road Traffic Institute in Kyiv, created the UkrPromInvest Ukrainian Industry and Investment Company, which specialized in the confectionery and automotive industries (as well as in other agricultural processing later on). Poroshenko was director-general of the company from its founding until 1998, when in connection with his entry into parliament he handed the title over to his father, while retaining the title of honorary president.

Between 1996 and 1998, UkrPromInvest acquired control over several state-owned confectionery enterprises, which were combined into the Roshen group in 1996, creating the largest confectionery manufacturing operation in Ukraine. His business success in this industry earned him the nickname "Chocolate King".{{cite news|author=Abram Brown |date=31 March 2014 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2014/03/31/the-willy-wonka-of-ukraine-is-now-the-leading-presidential-candidate/ |title=The Willy Wonka of Ukraine Is Now The Leading Presidential Candidate |journal=Forbes |access-date=19 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201194141/http://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2014/03/31/the-willy-wonka-of-ukraine-is-now-the-leading-presidential-candidate/ |archive-date=1 December 2008 |url-status=live }} Poroshenko's business empire also includes several car and bus factories, Kuznia na Rybalskomu shipyard, the 5 Kanal television channel,{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/67473/ |title=Poroshenko is not going to sell Channel 5 TV |work=Kyiv Post |date=23 May 2010 |access-date=25 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525042142/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/67473/ |archive-date=25 May 2010 |url-status=live }} as well as other businesses in Ukraine.

Although not the most prominent in the list of his business holdings, the assets that drew much recent media attention, and often controversy, are the confectionery factory in Lipetsk, Russia, that became controversial due to the Russo-Ukrainian war, the Sevastopol Marine Plant (Sevmorzavod) that has been confiscated after the 2014 Russian forcible annexation of Crimea and the media outlet 5 kanal, particularly because of Poroshenko's repeated refusal to sell an influential media asset following his accession to presidency.

According to Poroshenko (and Rothschild Wealth Management & Trust) since becoming President of Ukraine he has relinquished the management of his businesses, ultimately (in January 2016) to a blind trust.{{Cite web |title=Roshen quits activity of its factory in Lipetsk |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/397675.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170120130300/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/397675.html |archive-date=20 January 2017 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Interfax-Ukraine |language=en}}

In March 2012, Forbes placed him on the Forbes list of billionaires at 1,153rd place, with US$1 billion.{{cite news|date=8 March 2012 |access-date=8 March 2012 |author=Brian Bonner |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/123875/ |title=Eight Ukrainians make Forbes magazine's list of world billionaires |newspaper=Kyiv Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201194141/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/123875/ |archive-date=1 December 2008 |url-status=live }} As of May 2015, Poroshenko's net worth was about US$720 million (Bloomberg estimate), losing 25 percent of his wealth because of Russia's ban of Roshen products and the state of the Ukrainian economy.{{cite news|title=Billionaire No More: Ukraine President's Fortune Fades With War|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-08/billionaire-no-more-ukraine-president-s-fortune-fades-with-war|newspaper=Bloomberg Business|date=8 May 2015|access-date=22 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526063035/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-08/billionaire-no-more-ukraine-president-s-fortune-fades-with-war|archive-date=26 May 2015}}

According to the annual ranking of the richest people in Ukraine,{{cite web|author=Vitaliy Sych|url=http://nv.ua/opinion/sych/poroshenko-rastet-ahmetov-padaet---svezhij-top-100-samyh-bogatyh-ukraintsev-77166.html|script-title=ru:Порошенко растет, Ахметов падает – свежий Топ-100 самых богатых украинцев|trans-title=Poroshenko grows, Akhmetov falls – Fresh Top 100 richest Ukrainians|language=ru|publisher=Novoe Vremia|date=30 October 2015|access-date=10 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311074035/http://nv.ua/opinion/sych/poroshenko-rastet-ahmetov-padaet---svezhij-top-100-samyh-bogatyh-ukraintsev-77166.html|archive-date=11 March 2016}} published in October 2015 by the Ukrainian journal Novoye Vremya and conducted jointly with Dragon Capital, a leading investment company in Ukraine, president Poroshenko was found to be the only one from the top ten list whose asset value grew since the previous year's ranking. The estimate of his assets was set at US$979 million, a 20% growth, and his ranking increased from 9th to 6th wealthiest person in Ukraine. The article observed that Poroshenko remained one of the only two European leaders who owned a business empire of such scale, with Silvio Berlusconi of Italy being the other.

A total of €450 million is kept in an Amsterdam-based company registered in Cyprus, as a result of which his effective tax rate is 5% rather than the statutory tax rate of 18% in Ukraine. The company is probably to be worth much more, as the annual accounts published by the Dutch Chamber of Commerce only contain the book value of the shares, which is very likely to be lower than the market value.{{cite news|title=Alle schimmige geldstromen belastingontwijkende President Oekraïne in één handig overzicht|url=http://925.nl/archief/2016/11/24/handig-alle-schimmige-geldstromen-belastingontwijkende-president-oekraine-in-een-overzicht/|date=24 November 2016|access-date=9 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415135655/http://925.nl/archief/2016/11/24/handig-alle-schimmige-geldstromen-belastingontwijkende-president-oekraine-in-een-overzicht/|archive-date=15 April 2017}} After his election, Poroshenko lost the billionaire status as his net worth dropped by 40% to reach $705 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.unian.info/politics/10556442-poroshenko-lost-billionaire-status-during-presidency-media.html|title=Poroshenko lost billionaire status during presidency – media|date=20 May 2019|website=unian.info|language=en|access-date=21 May 2019|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235406/https://www.unian.info/politics/10556442-poroshenko-lost-billionaire-status-during-presidency-media.html|url-status=live}}

A number of businesses were once part of the {{ill|Ukrprominvest|uk|Група «Укрпромінвест»|vertical-align=sup}} which Poroshenko headed in 1993–1998. The investment group was dissolved in April 2012.{{cite news|url=http://economics.unian.ua/industry/640677-kontsern-ukrprominvest-ogolosiv-pro-likvidatsiyu.html |script-title=uk:Концерн "Укрпромінвест" оголосив про ліквідацію |trans-title=Concern "Ukrprominvest" announced its liquidation |agency=UNIAN |date=24 April 2012 |access-date=26 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=1 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201194141/http://economics.unian.ua/industry/640677-kontsern-ukrprominvest-ogolosiv-pro-likvidatsiyu.html |language=uk }} Poroshenko has stated that upon beginning his political activity he passed on his holdings to a trust fund.

• Bogdan group (Poroshenko sold his share in 2009 due to the collapse of its production after the 2008 financial crisis), centered in Cherkasy
• Roshen group
• 5 Kanal and Priamyi television channels (he denies property relations with Priamyi{{cite web|title=Poroshenko says attempts underway to raid Pryamiy TV, denies ties with channel|url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/606720.html|website=News Agency|publisher=Interfax|access-date=15 August 2019|language=en|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235416/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/606720.html|url-status=live}})
• Kuznia na Rybalskomu shipyard in Kyiv
• International Invest Bank,{{Cite web |date=2017-11-30 |title=Банк Порошенко растет в 10 раз быстрее |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130021907/http://minprom.ua/articles/167144.html |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=web.archive.org}} owned through a trust and along with Ihor Kononenko
• Ukrprominvest-Agro, an agrarian holding
• Zoria Podillia, an agrarian company near Haisyn, specializing in sugar production from sugar beets
• Podillia
• MAS-Agro
• Ahrofirma "Dniproahrolan"
• Ahrofirma "Ivankivtsi"
• Sevastopol Shipyard (lost in 2015 due to a corporate raid by the Russian occupational authorities in Crimea)

Poroshenko first won a seat in the Verkhovna Rada (the Ukrainian Parliament) in 1998 for the 12th single-mandate constituency. He was initially a member of the United Social Democratic Party of Ukraine (SDPU), the party led by Viktor Medvedchuk and loyal to president Leonid Kuchma at the time. Poroshenko left SDPU(o) in 2000 to create an independent left-of-center faction and then a party, naming it Party of Ukraine's Solidarity (PSU).{{cite web|author-link1=Taras Kuzio|author1=Kuzio, Taras|author2=Frishberg, Alex|url=http://www.taraskuzio.net/legal_files/Frishberg_Feb.08.pdf|title=Ukrainian Political Update|date=21 February 2008|work=Frishberg & Partners, Attorneys at Law|page=22|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303173602/http://www.taraskuzio.net/legal_files/Frishberg_Feb.08.pdf|archive-date=3 March 2016}} In 2001 Poroshenko was instrumental in creating the Party of Regions, also loyal to Kuchma; the Party of Ukraine's Solidarity having merged into the Party of Regions, Poroshenko launched a new party with a similar name, the party "Solidarity".

File:Mukacheve 2004 Yushchenko and Baloha.JPG during the meeting before Mukacheve mayoral election on 16 April 2004]]

In December 2001, Poroshenko broke ranks with Kuchma supporters to become campaign chief of Viktor Yushchenko's Our Ukraine Bloc opposition faction. After parliamentary elections in March 2002 in which Our Ukraine won the biggest share of the popular vote and Poroshenko won a seat in parliament,{{cite news|access-date=23 June 2010|url=http://www.cvk.gov.ua/pls/vd2002/webproc0e|title=Results of voting in single-mandate constituencies|publisher=Central Election Commission of Ukraine}}{{Dead link|date=March 2016}}{{cbignore}} Poroshenko served as head of the parliamentary budget committee, where he was accused of "misplacing ₴47 million" (US$8.9 million).{{cite book|author=Freedom House|title=Nations in Transit 2004: Democratization in East Central Europe and Eurasia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AsJlnVU4ipoC&pg=PA638|date=2004|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|isbn=978-1-4617-3141-2|pages=638–|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113164920/https://books.google.com/books?id=AsJlnVU4ipoC&pg=PA638|archive-date=13 January 2016}} As a consequence of Poroshenko's Our Ukraine Bloc membership tax inspectors launched an attack on his business. Despite great difficulties, UkrPromInvest managed to survive until Yushchenko became President of Ukraine in 2005.

Poroshenko was considered a close confidant of Yushchenko, who is the godfather of Poroshenko's daughters.{{cite web|title=Profile: Ukraine 'chocolate king' President Poroshenko |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26822741|publisher=BBC|date=25 May 2014|access-date=10 March 2016|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526215821/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26822741|archive-date=26 May 2014}} Poroshenko was probably the wealthiest oligarch among Yushchenko supporters, and was often named as one of the main financial backers of Our Ukraine and the Orange Revolution.{{cite web|date=25 May 2014 |access-date=26 May 2014 |url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/politics/op-ed-petro-poroshenko-the-oligarch-poised-to-become-ukraine-president/article/384617 |title=Op-Ed: Petro Poroshenko the oligarch poised to become Ukraine president |work=Digital Journal |last=Hanly |first=Ken |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527181527/http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/politics/op-ed-petro-poroshenko-the-oligarch-poised-to-become-ukraine-president/article/384617 |archive-date=27 May 2014 |url-status=live }} After Yushchenko won the presidential elections in 2004, Poroshenko was appointed Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.

File:Petro Poroshenko (2005 ).jpg, 6 July 2005]]

In September 2005, highly publicized mutual allegations of corruption erupted between Poroshenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko involving the privatizations of state-owned firms. Poroshenko, for example, was accused of defending the interests of Viktor Pinchuk, who had acquired state firm Nikopol Ferroalloy for $80 million, independently valued at $1 billion.{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2005/09/27/in-ukraine-old-whiff-of-scandal-in-new-regime/ |title=In Ukraine, old whiff of scandal in new regime |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=27 September 2005 |author=Alex Rodriguez |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002143944/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-09-27/news/0509270090_1_petro-poroshenko-privatization-Ukrainians |archive-date=2 October 2013 |url-status=live }}

In response to the allegations, Yushchenko dismissed his entire cabinet of ministers, including Poroshenko and Tymoshenko.{{cite news |url=http://files.korrespondent.net/persons/poroshenko |language=ru |title=Biography |publisher=Korrespondent.net |archive-date=19 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060719091220/http://files.korrespondent.net/politics/poroshenko/ }} State prosecutors dismissed an abuse of power investigation against Poroshenko the following month,{{cite news|title=Prosecutors Close Criminal Case Against Yushchenko's Close Ally|url=http://news.kievukraine.info/2005/10/prosecutors-close-criminal-case.html|date=21 October 2005|publisher=Kiev Ukraine News Blog|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407082558/http://news.kievukraine.info/2005/10/prosecutors-close-criminal-case.html|archive-date=7 April 2014|access-date=6 April 2014}} immediately after Yushchenko dismissed Sviatoslav Piskun, General Prosecutor of Ukraine. Piskun claimed that he was sacked because he refused to institute criminal proceedings against Tymoshenko and refused to drop proceedings against Poroshenko.{{cite web |date=28 October 2005 |access-date=3 March 2012 |url=http://en.for-ua.com/analytics/2005/10/28/164030.html |title=Independent standpoint on Ukraine:Dismissal of Prosecutor-General, Closure of Poroshenko Case Create New |author=Tammy M. Lynch |publisher=ForUm |archive-date=3 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103105813/http://en.for-ua.com/analytics/2005/10/28/164030.html }}

In the March 2006 parliamentary election, Poroshenko was re-elected to the Ukrainian parliament with the support of Our Ukraine electoral bloc. He chaired the parliamentary Committee on Finance and Banking. Allegedly, since Poroshenko claimed the post of Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament for himself, the Socialist Party of Ukraine chose to be part of the Alliance of National Unity because it was promised that their party leader, Oleksandr Moroz, would be elected chairman if the coalition were formed. This left Poroshenko's Our Ukraine and their ally Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc out of the Government.

Poroshenko did not run in the September 2007 parliamentary election. Poroshenko started heading the Council of Ukraine's National Bank in February 2007.{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/50277/ |title=Regions Party not to vote for Poroshenko's appointment Ukraine's foreign minister |work=Kyiv Post |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=8 October 2009 |access-date=8 October 2009 |archive-date=5 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605175033/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/50277/ }} Between 1999 and 2012 he was a board member of the National Bank of Ukraine.

File:Yulia Tymoshenko November 2009-4.jpeg

File:George Papandreou and Petro Poroshenko 2009.jpg Petro Poroshenko in the Polish Senate with former Greek prime minister George Papandreou, December 2009]]

Ukrainian President Yushchenko nominated Poroshenko for Foreign Minister on 7 October 2009.{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/21575.html|title=Ukrainian president proposes Petro Poroshenko for foreign minister|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|date=7 October 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311072531/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/21575.html|archive-date=11 March 2016}} Poroshenko was appointed by the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's parliament) on 9 October 2009.{{cite news|url=http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/21692/ |title=Rada appoints Poroshenko Ukraine's foreign minister |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=9 October 2009 |access-date=5 December 2009 |archive-date=23 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523175756/http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/21575/ }}By 240 out of 440 MPs registered in the session hall. In particular, 151 MPs of the Bloc of Yulia Tymoshenko faction, 63 of the Our Ukraine-People's Self-Defense Bloc, 20 members of the Bloc of Volodymyr Lytvyn, one deputy of the Party of Regions, one member of the Communist Party faction, and four deputies not belonging to any faction voted for the nomination. On 12 October 2009, President Yushchenko re-appointed Poroshenko to the National Security and Defense Council.{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/poroshenko-put-on-ukraines-nscd-50528.html |title=Poroshenko put on Ukraine's NSCD |work=Kyiv Post |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=12 October 2009 |url-status=live |archive-date=19 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419153310/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/poroshenko-put-on-ukraines-nscd-50528.html }}

Poroshenko supported Ukrainian NATO-membership, and said NATO membership should not be a goal in itself.{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/54359/ |title=Poroshenko: Ukraine could join NATO in 1–2 years, with political, public will |work=Kyiv Post |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=4 December 2009 |access-date=5 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130215152/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/54359/ |archive-date=30 January 2011 }} Although Poroshenko was dismissed as foreign minister on 11 March 2010, President Viktor Yanukovych expressed hope for further cooperation with him.

In late February 2012, Poroshenko was named as the new Minister of Trade and Economic Development in the Azarov Government;{{cite news|date=23 February 2012 |access-date=9 March 2012 |url=http://www.unian.info/politics/612959-mass-media-poroshenko-heads-ministry-of-economy.html |title=Mass Media:Poroshenko heads Ministry of Economy |agency=UNIAN |archive-date=24 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224153502/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/487680-mass-media-poroshenko-heads-ministry-of-economy.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news|date=23 February 2012 |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/122996/ |title=Regions Party: Poroshenko appointed economy minister, Kolobov appointed finance minister |work=Kyiv Post |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |access-date=9 March 2012 |archive-date=9 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309085122/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/122996/ }}{{cite web|url=http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/23085.html |title=President:Prime Minister nominated Petro Poroshenko for Minister of Economy |publisher=President.gov.ua |date=23 February 2012 |access-date=3 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140128000855/http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/23085.html |archive-date=28 January 2014 }} on 9 March 2012, President Yanukovych stated he wanted Poroshenko to work in the government in the post of economic development and trade minister.{{cite news|date=9 March 2012 |access-date=9 March 2012 |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/123980/ |title=Ukrainian president wants Poroshenko to head economic development and trade ministry |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |work=Kyiv Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309162724/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/123980/ |archive-date=9 March 2012 |url-status=live }} On 23 March 2012, Poroshenko was appointed economic development and trade minister of Ukraine by Yanukovych.{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/124833/ |title=Poroshenko appointed economic development and trade minister of Ukraine|work=Kyiv Post|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|access-date=23 March 2012|date=23 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201194141/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/124833/|archive-date=1 December 2008}}
{{cite news|date=23 March 2012|access-date=23 March 2012|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/124844/|title=Poroshenko explains reasons behind accepting economy minister's post|work=Kyiv Post|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|archive-date=23 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323190901/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/124844/}} The same month he stepped down as head of the Council of Ukraine's National Bank.{{cite web|publisher=LIGA.net |url=http://file.liga.net/person/404-petr-poroshenko.html |script-title=ru:Порошенко Петр Алексеевич |trans-title=Petr Aleksiyovych Poroshenko |access-date=20 February 2013 |archive-date=5 March 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305055205/http://file.liga.net/person/404-petr-poroshenko.html |language=ru }}

Poroshenko claims that he became Minister of Trade and Economic Development to help bring Ukraine closer to the EU and get Yulia Tymoshenko released from prison. After he took the post, tax inspectors launched an attack on his business.

Poroshenko returned to the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) after the 2012 Ukrainian parliamentary election after winning (with more than 70%) as an independent candidate in single-member district number 12 (first-past-the-post wins a parliamentary seat) located in Vinnytsia Oblast.{{Cite web |title=Одномандатный избирательный округ № 12 |url=https://www.rbc.ua/rus/vyboru2012/person/o101 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605053136/http://www.rbc.ua/rus/vyboru2012/person/o101 |archive-date=5 June 2014 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.rbc.ua}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cvk.gov.ua/pls/vnd2012/WP040?PT001F01=900&pf7331=12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221141512/http://www.cvk.gov.ua/pls/vnd2012/WP040?PT001F01=900&pf7331=12|archive-date=21 February 2014|script-title=uk:Полтавська область. Одномандатний виборчий округ №112|trans-title=Vinnytsia region. The single-mandate constituency № 12|publisher=Central Election Commission of Ukraine|language=uk|access-date=14 December 2012}}{{cite news|access-date=14 December 2012 |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/minister-poroshenko-and-his-father-registered-as-self-nominees-for-districts-in-vinnytsia-region-311570.html |title=Minister Poroshenko and his father registered as self-nominees for Vinnytsia region |work=Kyiv Post |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=15 August 2012 |url-status=live |archive-date=20 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121220053732/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/minister-poroshenko-and-his-father-registered-as-self-nominees-for-districts-in-vinnytsia-region-311570.html }} He did not enter any faction in parliament{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/poroshenko-not-intending-to-join-any-faction-317539.html |title=Poroshenko not intending to join any faction |work=Kyiv Post |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=12 December 2012 |access-date=14 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-date=14 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214133925/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/poroshenko-not-intending-to-join-any-faction-317539.html }}
{{cite news|date=20 June 2013 |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/poroshenko-fears-uncontrolled-economic-situation-in-ukraine-due-to-foreign-borrowing-325913.html |title=Poroshenko fears uncontrolled economic situation in Ukraine due to foreign borrowing |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |work=Kyiv Post |access-date=20 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923233703/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/poroshenko-fears-uncontrolled-economic-situation-in-ukraine-due-to-foreign-borrowing-325913.html |archive-date=23 September 2013 |url-status=live }} and became member of the committee on European Integration. Poroshenko's father Oleksii did intend to take part in the elections too in single-member district number 16 (also located in Vinnytsia Oblast), but withdrew his candidacy for health reasons.{{Cite web |title=Одномандатный избирательный округ № 16 |url=https://www.rbc.ua/rus/vyboru2012/person/o105 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311130352/https://www.rbc.ua/rus/vyboru2012/person/o105 |archive-date=11 March 2016 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.rbc.ua}}{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.info/politics/697310-poroshenkos-father-changes-his-mind-to-withdraw-his-candidacy-from-elections.html |title=Poroshenko's father changes his mind to withdraw his candidacy from elections |agency=UNIAN |date=25 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904162445/http://www.unian.info/politics/697310-poroshenkos-father-changes-his-mind-to-withdraw-his-candidacy-from-elections.html |archive-date=4 September 2014 |url-status=live }} In mid-February 2013, Poroshenko hinted he would run for Mayor of Kyiv in the 2013 Kyiv mayoral election.{{cite news |url=http://www.ukrainebusiness.com.ua/news/8734.html |title=Poroshenko appears set to join race for Kyiv mayor |publisher=Ukraine Business Online |date=12 February 2013 |access-date=15 February 2013 |archive-date=19 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419005026/http://www.ukrainebusiness.com.ua/news/8734.html }}

In 2013, the registration certificate of Solidarity was cancelled because it had not participated in any election for more than 10 years. Poroshenko then launched and became leader of the National Alliance of freedom and Ukrainian patriotism "OFFENSIVE" (NASTUP), which was renamed "All-Ukrainian Union Solidarity" (BOS).

{{main|Revolution of Dignity}}

File:Secretary Kerry Poses for a Photo With Ukrainian Opposition Leaders in Munich.jpg, Poroshenko (second left) and Arsenii Yatseniuk (right) with United States Secretary of State John Kerry (second right) at the Munich Security Conference, 2014]]

Poroshenko actively and financially supported the Euromaidan protests between November 2013 and February 2014, leading to an upsurge in his popularity, although he did not participate in negotiations between then President Yanukovych and the Euromaidan parliamentary opposition parties Batkivshchyna, Svoboda and UDAR.

In an interview with Lally Weymouth, Poroshenko said: "From the beginning, I was one of the organizers of the Maidan. My television channel — Channel 5 — played a tremendously important role. ... At that time, Channel 5 started to broadcast, there were just 2,000 people on the Maidan. But during the night, people went by foot — seven, eight, nine, 10 kilometers — understanding this is a fight for Ukrainian freedom and democracy. In four hours, almost 30,000 people were there."{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interview-with-ukrainian-presidential-candidate-petro-poroshenko/2014/04/25/74c73a48-cbbd-11e3-93eb-6c0037dde2ad_story.html|title=Interview with Ukrainian presidential candidate Petro Poroshenko|date=25 April 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604095721/http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interview-with-ukrainian-presidential-candidate-petro-poroshenko/2014/04/25/74c73a48-cbbd-11e3-93eb-6c0037dde2ad_story.html|archive-date=4 June 2014}} The BBC reported, "Mr Poroshenko owns 5 Kanal TV, the most popular news channel in Ukraine, which showed clear pro-opposition sympathies during the months of political crisis in Kiev."

Poroshenko refused to join the Yatseniuk Government (although he introduced his colleague Volodymyr Groysman, the mayor of Vinnytsia, into it), nor did he join any of the two newly created parliamentary factions Economic Development and Sovereign European Ukraine.

On 24 April 2014, Poroshenko visited Luhansk, at the time not controlled by Ukrainian authorities. Just like previously in Crimea he was met by a blockade of hundreds of pro-Russian locals at Luhansk Airport. Poroshenko later claimed: "When I traveled to Luhansk Oblast, my car was fired at and there was an attempt to take our entire group hostage."

{{main|2014 Ukrainian presidential election}}

File:Poroshenko-2014-en.png

Following the 2014 Ukrainian revolution and the resulting removal of Viktor Yanukovych from the office of President of Ukraine, new presidential elections were scheduled to take place on 25 May 2014.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26312008 |title=Ukraine: Speaker Oleksandr Turchynov named interim president |work=BBC News |date=23 February 2014 |access-date=29 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327024822/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26312008 |archive-date=27 March 2014 }}
{{cite news|date=23 February 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26248275 |title=Ukraine protests timeline |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201194141/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26248275 |archive-date=1 December 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=29 March 2014 }} In pre-election polls from March 2014, Poroshenko garnered the most support of all the prospective candidates, with one poll conducted by SOCIS giving him a rating of over 40%.[http://www.socis.kiev.ua/ Главная | Центр соціальних та маркетингових досліджень SOCIS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521070707/http://socis.kiev.ua/ |date=21 May 2014 }}. Socis.kiev.ua. Retrieved 28 May 2014. On 29 March he stated that he would run for president; at the same time Vitali Klitschko left the presidential contest, choosing to support Poroshenko's bid.{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/198350.html |title=Klitschko will run for mayor of Kyiv |access-date=29 March 2014 |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=29 March 2014 |archive-date=30 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330005126/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/198350.html }}{{cite news|agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=29 March 2014 |access-date=29 March 2014 |url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/198348.html |title=Klitschko believes only presidential candidate from democratic forces should be Poroshenko |url-status=live |archive-date=11 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011034026/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/198348.html }}{{cite news|date=29 March 2014 |access-date=29 March 2014 |author=Colin Freeman |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10731848/Petro-Poroshenko-the-billionaire-chocolate-baron-hoping-to-become-Ukraines-next-president.html |title=Petro Poroshenko, the billionaire chocolate baron hoping to become Ukraine's next president |work=The Daily Telegraph |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330003104/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10731848/Petro-Poroshenko-the-billionaire-chocolate-baron-hoping-to-become-Ukraines-next-president.html |url-status=live |archive-date=30 March 2014 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/29/ukraine-former-boxer-vitaliy-klitschko-ends-presidential-bid-and-backs-/ |title=Ukraine: former boxer Vitaliy Klitschko ends presidential bid and backs Poroshenko |publisher=Euronews |date=29 March 2014 |archive-date=30 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330021851/http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/29/ukraine-former-boxer-vitaliy-klitschko-ends-presidential-bid-and-backs-/ |url-status=live }}

On 2 April, Poroshenko stated, "If I am elected, I will be honest and sell the Roshen Concern."{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/198849.html |title=Poroshenko ready to sell Roshen if elected president |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=2 April 2014 |access-date=2 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407080918/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/198849.html |archive-date=7 April 2014 |url-status=live }} He also said in early April that the level of popular support for the idea of Ukraine's joining NATO was too small to put on the agenda "so as not to ruin the country".{{cite news|agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=2 April 2014 |access-date=2 April 2014 |url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/198839.html |title=Question of Ukraine's membership of NATO may split country – Poroshenko |archive-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407080915/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/198839.html |url-status=live }} He also vowed not to sell his 5 Kanal television channel.{{cite news|date=25 May 2014|url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304811904579583413180447156|title=Poroshenko Declares Victory in Ukraine Presidential Election|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=29 May 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528033721/http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304811904579583413180447156|archive-date=28 May 2014}} On 14 April, Poroshenko publicly endorsed the campaign of Jarosław Gowin's party Poland Together of neighboring Poland in that year's elections to the European Parliament, thanking Gowin's party colleague Paweł Kowal for supporting Ukraine.{{cite news |access-date=14 April 2014 |url=http://www.polskieradio.pl/5/3/Artykul/1098445,Polska-Razem-czarnym-koniem-Mocne-slowa-Gowina |title=Polska Razem czarnym koniem? Mocne słowa Gowina |trans-title=Polish Total black horse? Strong words Gowin |date=12 April 2014 |language=pl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415025816/http://www.polskieradio.pl/5/3/Artykul/1098445%2CPolska-Razem-czarnym-koniem-Mocne-slowa-Gowina |archive-date=15 April 2014 |url-status=live }}

Poroshenko's election slogan was: "Live in a new way – Poroshenko!".{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/profile-of-petro-poroshenko-in-the-run-up-to-the-ukraine-elections-a-970325.html |title=Ukraine Election: The Chocolate King Rises |work=Spiegel Online |date=22 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=28 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528051631/http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/profile-of-petro-poroshenko-in-the-run-up-to-the-ukraine-elections-a-970325.html }}

On 29 May, the Central Election Commission of Ukraine announced that Poroshenko had won the 25 May presidential election, with 54.7% of the votes.{{cite news|agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=29 May 2014 |url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/207146.html |title=Poroshenko wins presidential election with 54.7% of vote – CEC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529201857/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/207146.html |archive-date=29 May 2014 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ukraine-talks-set-to-open-without-pro-russian-separatists/2014/05/14/621dbc6a-c7d9-40bc-b2e5-814a4108bbef_story.html|title=Ukraine talks set to open without pro-Russian separatists|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=14 May 2014|access-date=29 May 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528213228/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ukraine-talks-set-to-open-without-pro-russian-separatists/2014/05/14/621dbc6a-c7d9-40bc-b2e5-814a4108bbef_story.html|archive-date=28 May 2014}}{{cite news|date=22 May 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27518989 |title=Ukraine elections: Runners and risks |work=BBC News |access-date=29 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527092109/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27518989 |archive-date=27 May 2014 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8460978.stm |title=Q&A: Ukraine presidential election |work=BBC News |date=7 February 2010 |access-date=29 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=29 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429045939/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8460978.stm }}{{cite web|publisher=Radio Ukraine International |access-date=29 May 2014 |url=http://nrcu.gov.ua/en/148/566632/ |title=Poroshenko wins presidential election with 54.7% of vote – CEC |date=29 May 2014 |archive-date=29 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529212731/http://www.nrcu.gov.ua/en/148/566632/ }}
{{cite news|publisher=Телеграф |url=http://telegraf.com.ua/ukraina/politika/1300294-rezultatyi-vyiborov-prezidenta-ukrainyi-2014-tsik-obrabotala-51-99.html |script-title=ru:Внеочередные выборы Президента Украины |trans-title=Results election of Ukrainian president |date=29 May 2014 |access-date=29 May 2014 |language=ru |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529233925/http://telegraf.com.ua/ukraina/politika/1300294-rezultatyi-vyiborov-prezidenta-ukrainyi-2014-tsik-obrabotala-51-99.html |archive-date=29 May 2014 }}{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/205114.html |title=New Ukrainian president will be elected for 5-year term – Constitutional Court |date=16 May 2014 |access-date=29 May 2014 |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517121006/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/205114.html |archive-date=17 May 2014 |url-status=live }}

During his visit in Berlin, Poroshenko stated that Russian separatists in the Donbas "don't represent anybody. We have to restore law and order and sweep the terrorists off the street."{{cite news|url=http://www.dw.de/poroshenko-no-negotiations-with-separatists/a-17619764 |title=Poroshenko: 'No negotiations with separatists' |publisher=Deutsche Welle |date=8 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524124039/http://www.dw.de/poroshenko-no-negotiations-with-separatists/a-17619764 |archive-date=24 May 2014 }} He described as "fake" the planned 11 May Donbas status referendums.

When it became clear he had won the election on election day evening (on 25 May 2014) Poroshenko announced his "first presidential trip will be to Donbas", where armed pro-Russian rebels had declared the separatist Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republics and control part of the region.{{cite news|title=Ukraine crisis timeline |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26248275 |work=BBC News |access-date=29 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530112656/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26248275 |archive-date=30 May 2014 }} Poroshenko also vowed to continue the military operations by the Ukrainian government forces to end the armed insurgency claiming: "The anti-terrorist operation cannot and should not last two or three months. It should and will last hours."{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/26/poroshenko-peace-donetsk-airport-air-strike-separatists |title=Poroshenko promises calm 'in hours' amid battle to control Donetsk airport |newspaper=The Guardian |date=26 May 2014 |access-date=29 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529072943/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/26/poroshenko-peace-donetsk-airport-air-strike-separatists |archive-date=29 May 2014 }}

He compared the armed pro-Russian rebels to Somali pirates. Poroshenko also called for negotiations with Russia in the presence of international intermediaries. Russia responded by saying it did not need an intermediary in its bilateral relations with Ukraine. As president-elect, Poroshenko promised to return Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in March 2014.{{cite web|url=http://eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2014/140417_03_en.pdf |title=EU & Ukraine 17 April 2014 FACT SHEET |publisher=European External Action Service |date=17 April 2014 |access-date=29 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514174415/http://eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2014/140417_03_en.pdf |archive-date=14 May 2014 }}{{efn|The status of the Crimea and of the city of Sevastopol is currently under dispute between Russia and Ukraine; Ukraine and the majority of the international community consider the Crimea to be an autonomous republic of Ukraine and Sevastopol to be one of Ukraine's cities with special status, while Russia, on the other hand, considers the Crimea to be a federal subject of Russia and Sevastopol to be one of Russia's three federal cities.{{cite news|last1=Gutterman |first1=Steve |last2=Polityuk |first2=Pavel |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA1Q1E820140318 |title=Putin signs Crimea treaty, will not seize other Ukraine regions |work=Reuters |date=18 March 2014 |access-date=26 March 2014 |archive-date=29 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329012404/https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/18/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA1Q1E820140318 |url-status=live }}}} He also vowed to hold new parliamentary elections in 2014.{{cite news|date=25 May 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ukrainians-head-to-the-polls-to-elect-a-new-president-except-in-the-restive-east/2014/05/25/2680fad4-e9f7-4118-923e-852b01351b39_story.html|title=In Ukrainian election, chocolate tycoon Poroshenko claims victory|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904072819/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ukrainians-head-to-the-polls-to-elect-a-new-president-except-in-the-restive-east/2014/05/25/2680fad4-e9f7-4118-923e-852b01351b39_story.html|archive-date=4 September 2014}}

Poroshenko was inaugurated in the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) on 7 June 2014.{{cite news|url=https://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20140529-707812.html|title=Petro Poroshenko to Be Inaugurated as Ukraine President June 7|author=Lukas Alpert|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=29 May 2014|access-date=29 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529234158/http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20140529-707812.html |archive-date=29 May 2014}}
{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/207670.html|title=Rada decides to hold inauguration of Poroshenko on June 7 at 1000|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|date=3 June 2014|access-date=3 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603165249/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/207670.html|archive-date=3 June 2014}}
{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/208367.html|title=Poroshenko sworn in as Ukrainian president|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|date=7 June 2014|url-status=live|access-date=7 June 2014|archive-date=1 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701184604/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/208367.html}} In his inaugural address he stressed that Ukraine would not give up Crimea and stressed the unity of Ukraine. He promised an amnesty "for those who do not have blood on their hands" to the pro-Russian separatists of the war in Donbas and to the Ukrainian nationalist groups that oppose them, but added: "Talking to gangsters and killers is not our path." He also called for early regional elections in Eastern Ukraine.

Poroshenko stated that he would sign the economic part of the Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement and that this was the first step towards full Ukrainian EU Membership. During the speech, he stated he saw "Ukrainian as the only state language" but also spoke of the "guarantees [of] the unhindered development of Russian and all the other languages". Part of the speech was in Russian.{{cite news |publisher=theguardian.com |work=The Guardian |date=7 June 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/07/ukraine-president-poroshenko-crimea-putin |title=Ukraine president vows not to give up Crimea |url-status=live |archive-date=13 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613194756/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/07/ukraine-president-poroshenko-crimea-putin }}
{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27745278 |title=Ukraine's Poroshenko sworn in and sets out peace plan |work=BBC News |date=7 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609033038/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27745278 |archive-date=9 June 2014 |url-status=live }}
{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27746994 |title=Excerpts from Poroshenko's speech |work=BBC News Online |date=7 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608013854/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27746994 |archive-date=8 June 2014 |url-status=live }}
{{cite news |url=http://www.euronews.com/2014/06/07/ukraine-s-poroshenko-outlines-peace-plan-at-inauguration/ |title=Ukraine's President Poroshenko pushes for peace at inauguration |publisher=Euronews |date=7 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609235153/http://euronews.com/2014/06/07/ukraine-s-poroshenko-outlines-peace-plan-at-inauguration |archive-date=9 June 2014 }}
{{cite news |url=http://www.euronews.com/2014/06/07/poroshenko-offers-escape-for-rebels-but-no-compromise-over-weapons/ |title=Poroshenko offers escape for rebels but no compromise over weapons |publisher=Euronews |date=7 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701202739/http://www.euronews.com/2014/06/07/poroshenko-offers-escape-for-rebels-but-no-compromise-over-weapons/ |archive-date=1 July 2014 |url-status=live }}
{{cite news |url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2014/06/7/7028330/ |script-title=uk:Промова президента України під час церемонії інавгурації. Повний текст |trans-title=Speech by President of Ukraine during the inauguration ceremony. Full text |newspaper=Ukrayinska Pravda |date=7 June 2014 |language=uk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607090456/http://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2014/06/7/7028330/ |archive-date=7 June 2014 }}

{{Not a typo parliamentary assembly in Strasbourg, 26 June 2014.]]

The inauguration was attended by about 50 foreign delegations, including US Vice President Joe Biden, President of Poland Bronisław Komorowski, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of Switzerland and the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Didier Burkhalter, President of Germany Joachim Gauck, President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili, Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, the OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feldman, China's Minister of Culture Cai Wu and Ambassador of Russia to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov{{cite news|newspaper=Ukrayinska Pravda|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/06/7/7028262/|script-title=uk:На інавгурацію Порошенка прибудуть делегації з 56 країн|trans-title=At the inauguration Poroshenko come delegations from 56 countries|date=7 June 2014|access-date=7 June 2014|language=uk|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609232456/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/06/7/7028262/|archive-date=9 June 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.euronews.com/2014/06/07/ukraine-international-recognition-for-president-poroshenko/ |title=Ukraine: International recognition for President Poroshenko |publisher=Euronews |date=7 June 2014 |access-date=7 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708222139/http://www.euronews.com/2014/06/07/ukraine-international-recognition-for-president-poroshenko/ |archive-date=8 July 2014 }} Former Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko was also present. After the inauguration ceremony Tymoshenko said about Poroshenko, "I think Ukraine has found a very powerful additional factor of stability."{{cite news|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/06/7/7028359|script-title=uk:Тимошенко: президент Порошенко – потужний фактор стабільності|trans-title=Tymoshenko: President Poroshenko – a powerful factor of stability|newspaper=Ukrayinska Pravda|date=7 June 2014|access-date=7 June 2014|language=uk|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609232601/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/06/7/7028359/|archive-date=9 June 2014}}

{{see also|2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|Minsk agreements}}

At the time of his inauguration, armed pro-Russian rebels, after disputed referendums, had declared the independence of the separatist Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic and controlled a large part of Donbas, but were largely considered to be illegitimate by the international community. After the inauguration, Poroshenko launched a "peace" plan envisioned to garner the recognition of the presidential elections in Ukraine by Russia, consisting of a cease-fire with the separatists (named "terrorists" by Poroshenko himself) and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor for civilians ("who are not involved in the conflict").{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/208898.html |title=Poroshenko doesn't rule out roundtable in Donetsk involving parties to conflict |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=12 June 2014 |access-date=12 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701044007/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/208898.html |archive-date=1 July 2014 }} Poroshenko warned that he had a "Plan B" if the initial peace plan was rejected.

File:Петр Порошенко.jpg (2014)]]

In mid-June Poroshenko started the process of amending Ukraine's constitution to achieve Ukraine's administrative decentralization. According to Poroshenko (on 16 June 2014) this was "a key element of the peace plan".{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/209550.html |title=Amendments to Ukraine's Constitution to be tabled in parliament this week – Poroshenko |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=16 June 2014 |archive-date=1 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701043708/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/209550.html }} In his draft constitutional amendments of June 2014 proposed changing the administrative divisions of Ukraine, which should include regions (replacing the current oblasts), districts and "hromadas" (united territorial communities).{{cite news|agency=Interfax-Ukraine |url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/211043.html |title=Poroshenko suggests granting status of regions to Crimea, Kyiv, Sevastopol, creating new political subdivision of 'community' |date=26 June 2014 |access-date=26 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701043549/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/211043.html |archive-date=1 July 2014 }}

In these amendments he proposed that "Village, city, district and regional administrations will be able to determine the status of the Russian language and other national minority languages of Ukraine in accordance with the procedure established by the law and within the borders of their administrative and territorial units".{{cite news|date=26 June 2014 |url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/211041.html |title=Authorities in Ukrainian regions may be allowed to determine status of national minority languages |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |access-date=26 June 2014 |archive-date=1 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701043340/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/211041.html }} He proposed that Ukrainian remained the only state language of Ukraine.

Poroshenko proposed to create the post of presidential representatives who would supervise the enforcement of the Ukrainian constitution and laws and the observation of human rights and freedoms in oblasts and raions/raions of cities. In case of an "emergency situation or martial law regime" they will "guide and organize" in the territories they are stationed in.{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/211030.html |title=Ukrainian president proposes to appoint representatives to regions |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=26 June 2014 |access-date=26 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701040905/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/211030.html |archive-date=1 July 2014 }} Batkivshchyna, a key coalition partner in the Yatseniuk Government, came out against the plan.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-defence-idUSKBN0F80CF20140703 |title=Ukraine's Poroshenko names new defence chiefs in shake-up |work=Reuters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703140826/https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/03/us-ukraine-crisis-defence-idUSKBN0F80CF20140703 |archive-date=3 July 2014 |url-status=live |date=3 July 2014 }} {{why|date=June 2018}}

He repeatedly spoke out against federalization,"[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/250254.html Documents signed in Minsk don't envision federalization, autonomy for Donbas – Poroshenko] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224215420/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/250254.html|date=24 February 2015}}". Interfax-Ukraine. 12 February 2015.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/273848.html Poroshenko rules out federalization of Ukraine] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624014948/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/273848.html |date=24 June 2015 }}. Interfax-Ukraine. 23 June 2015.
[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/274559.html Ukraine to remain unitary state after constitution is amended – Poroshenko] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627014147/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/274559.html |date=27 June 2015 }}. Interfax-Ukraine. 26 June 2015. and did not seek to increase his presidential powers.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/275000.html Semi-presidential form of government is optimal for Ukraine – Poroshenko] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802010136/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/275000.html |date=2 August 2015 }}. Interfax-Ukraine. 30 June 2015.

File:Putin Renzi Poroshenko.jpeg and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, October 2014]]

The 1 July 2015 decentralization draft law gave local authorities the right to oversee how their tax revenues are spent.{{Cite news |date=2015-07-01 |title=Poroshenko Unveils Constitution Changes |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-constitution-changes-poroshenko-/27104769.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063159/http://www.rferl.mobi/a/ukraine-constitution-changes-poroshenko-/27104769.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=2025-05-17 |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |language=en}} The draft law did not give an autonomous status to Donbas, as demanded by the pro-Russian rebels there, but gave the region partial self-rule for three years.

{{Main|2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election}}

On 25 August 2014, Poroshenko called a snap election to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's parliament), to be held 26 October 2014.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-25/ukraine-president-poroshenko-calls-snap-general-election.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825232937/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-25/ukraine-president-poroshenko-calls-snap-general-election.html|archive-date=25 August 2014|title=Ukraine President Poroshenko Calls Snap General Election|publisher=Bloomberg News |date=25 August 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28931054 |title=Ukraine crisis: President calls snap vote amid fighting |work=BBC News |date=25 August 2014 |access-date=30 August 2014 |archive-date=27 August 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827104753/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28931054 }} According to him this was necessary "to purify the Rada of the mainstay of [former president] Viktor Yanukovych". These deputies, Poroshenko said, "clearly do not represent the people who elected them". Poroshenko said that these Rada deputies were responsible for "the [January 2014] Dictatorship laws that took the lives of the Heavenly hundred". Poroshenko stated that many of the (then) current MPs were "direct sponsors and accomplices or at least sympathizers of militant-separatists".[http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2014/08/25/Ukrainian-President-dissolves-Parliament-announces-early-elections/3261408995210/ Ukrainian President dissolves Parliament, announces early elections] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831062559/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2014/08/25/Ukrainian-President-dissolves-Parliament-announces-early-elections/3261408995210/ |date=31 August 2014 }}, United Press International (25 August 2014)
{{cite news |url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/ukraine-s-petro-poroshenko-announces-new-parliamentary-elections/505837.html |title=Ukraine's Petro Poroshenko Dissolves Parliament, Sets Election Date |work=The Moscow Times |date=26 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827121528/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/ukraine-s-petro-poroshenko-announces-new-parliamentary-elections/505837.html |archive-date=27 August 2014 |url-status=live }}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20140829180501/http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/31081.html President's address on the occasion of early parliamentary elections of 26 October], Presidential Administration of Ukraine (25 August 2014)

Poroshenko had pressed for the elections since his victory in the May 2014 presidential election.{{cite news|access-date=30 August 2014 |url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/211079.html |title=Poroshenko hopes early parliamentary elections in Ukraine will take place in October |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=26 June 2014 |archive-date=27 October 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027041537/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/211079.html }}{{cite news|access-date=30 August 2014 |date=19 June 2014 |url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/210172.html |title=Poroshenko hopes for early parliamentary elections in Ukraine this fall – presidential envoy |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |archive-date=18 October 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018230314/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/210172.html }}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ukrainians-head-to-the-polls-to-elect-a-new-president-except-in-the-restive-east/2014/05/25/2680fad4-e9f7-4118-923e-852b01351b39_story.html|title=In Ukrainian election, chocolate tycoon Poroshenko claims victory|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=25 May 2014|access-date=30 August 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904072819/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ukrainians-head-to-the-polls-to-elect-a-new-president-except-in-the-restive-east/2014/05/25/2680fad4-e9f7-4118-923e-852b01351b39_story.html|archive-date=4 September 2014}}

On 27 August 2014, the party congress of All-Ukrainian Party of Peace and Unity adopted a new name: "Petro Poroshenko Bloc" (BPP).{{cite news|date=27 August 2014 |access-date=30 August 2014 |url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/220240.html |title=Poroshenko wants coalition to be formed before parliamentary elections |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |archive-date=3 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703140826/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/220240.html }}
{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/220216.html |title=Solidarity Party to be renamed Bloc of Petro Poroshenko – congress |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=27 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831002633/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/220216.html |archive-date=31 August 2014 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/articles/2014/06/6/7028205/view_print/|script-title=uk:Петро Порошенко виходить на роботу|trans-title=Poroshenko goes to work|work=Ukrayinska Pravda|date=6 June 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230000/http://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/articles/2014/06/6/7028205/view_print/|archive-date=3 March 2016|language=uk}}{{cite news|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2014/05/16/7025568|script-title=uk:Порошенко і порожнеча|date=16 May 2014|access-date=30 August 2014|language=uk|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830053322/http://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2014/05/16/7025568/|archive-date=30 August 2014}} In 2015, the Petro Poroshenko Bloc was renamed in "Petro Poroshenko Bloc "Solidarity"".{{cite news|url=http://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-politics/1823650-bloc_of_petro_poroshenko_to_change_name_329651.html|title=Bloc of Petro Poroshenko to change name|work=Ukrinform.net|date=10 March 2015|access-date=6 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111153024/http://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-politics/1823650-bloc_of_petro_poroshenko_to_change_name_329651.html|archive-date=11 January 2016}}

On 13 December 2014, Poroshenko stated that he did not want Ukraine to become a nuclear power again.{{Cite web |title=Ukraine has no ambitions to become nuclear power again – Poroshenko |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/239730.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214005906/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/239730.html |archive-date=14 December 2014 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Interfax-Ukraine |language=en}}

File:Петро Порошенко під час виступу у Полтаві (2016 рік).jpg (May 2016)]]

On 15 May 2015, Poroshenko signed a bill into law that started a six-month period for the removal of communist monuments and the mandatory renaming of streets and other public places and settlements with a name related to Communism.[http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2015/05/15/7068057/ Poroshenko signed the laws about decommunization] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423181130/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2015/05/15/7068057/ |date=23 April 2016 }}. Ukrayinska Pravda. 15 May 2015
[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/265988.html Poroshenko signs laws on denouncing Communist, Nazi regimes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819162411/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/265988.html |date=19 August 2016 }}, Interfax-Ukraine. 15 May 20
[http://www.unian.info/politics/1078854-poroshenko-time-for-ukraine-to-resolutely-get-rid-of-communist-symbols.html Poroshenko: Time for Ukraine to resolutely get rid of Communist symbols] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518092853/http://www.unian.info/politics/1078854-poroshenko-time-for-ukraine-to-resolutely-get-rid-of-communist-symbols.html |date=18 May 2015 }}, UNIAN. 17 May 2015
[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32267075 Goodbye, Lenin: Ukraine moves to ban communist symbols] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307200441/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32267075 |date=7 March 2016 }}, BBC News (14 April 2015) According to Poroshenko, "I did what I had to"; adding, "Ukraine as a state has done its job, then historians should work, while the government should take care of the future."

Poroshenko believes that the communist repression and Holodomor of the Soviet Union are on par with the Nazi crimes of the 1940s.{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/politics/2015/05/150517_poroshenko_red_terror_she|script-title=uk:Порошенко: час очистити Україну від комуністичних символів|trans-title=Poroshenko: time to clear Ukraine of communist symbols|language=uk|work=BBC Ukrainian|date=17 May 2015|access-date=30 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113164921/http://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/politics/2015/05/150517_poroshenko_red_terror_she|archive-date=13 January 2016}} The legislation (Poroshenko signed on 15 May 2015) also provides "public recognition to anyone who fought for Ukrainian independence in the 20th century",{{Cite news |date=2015-04-20 |title=Ukraine to rewrite Soviet history with controversial 'decommunisation' laws |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/20/ukraine-decommunisation-law-soviet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723085903/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/20/ukraine-decommunisation-law-soviet |archive-date=23 July 2016 |access-date=2025-05-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} including the controversial Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) combatants led by Roman Shukhevych and Stepan Bandera.

Poroshenko said in an interview with Germany's Bild newspaper that, "If I am elected, I'll wipe the slate clean and will sell the Roshen concern. As president of Ukraine, I will and want to only focus on the well-being of the nation.""[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-04-02/poroshenko-to-sell-roshen-if-elected-ukrainian-president-bild Poroshenko to Sell Roshen If Elected Ukrainian President: Bild] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322075302/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-04-02/poroshenko-to-sell-roshen-if-elected-ukrainian-president-bild |date=22 March 2017 }}". Bloomberg. 2 April 2014.

On 23 March 2015, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko accepted the resignation of billionaire Ihor Kolomoisky as governor of Dnipro region over the control of oil companies.{{Cite news|title=Powerful Ukrainian Governor Kolomoyskiy Resigns|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-kolomoisky-/26919383.html|newspaper=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|date=25 March 2015|access-date=9 June 2015|archive-date=2 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602095930/http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-kolomoisky-/26919383.html|url-status=live}} "There will be no more oligarchs in Ukraine", Poroshenko said adding that "oligarchs must pay more [taxes] than the middle class and more than small business". The president underscored that "the program of de-oligarchization will be put into life". Poroshenko promised that he will fight against the Ukrainian oligarchs.{{cite web|url=http://www.5.ua/polityka/V-Ukraini-bilshe-ne-bude-oliharkhiv--Poroshenko-82237.html|title=IN UKRAINE THERE WILL BE NO MORE OLIGARCHS – POROSHENKO|publisher=5.ua|date=30 May 2015|access-date=30 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601235924/http://www.5.ua/polityka/V-Ukraini-bilshe-ne-bude-oliharkhiv--Poroshenko-82237.html|archive-date=1 June 2015}}

In December 2018, President Poroshenko confirmed the status of veterans and combatants for independence of Ukraine for the armed units of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).{{cite news |title=Poroshenko enacts law granting fighters for Ukraine's independence in 20th century combatant status |url=https://www.unian.info/politics/10388085-poroshenko-enacts-law-granting-fighters-for-ukraine-s-independence-in-20th-century-combatant-status.html |work=UNIAN |date=23 December 2018 |access-date=31 December 2018 |archive-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235505/https://www.unian.info/politics/10388085-poroshenko-enacts-law-granting-fighters-for-ukraine-s-independence-in-20th-century-combatant-status.html |url-status=live }}

{{See also|Language policy in Ukraine}}

In 2016, a new rule came into force requiring Ukraine's radio stations to play a quota of Ukrainian-language songs each day. The law also requires TV and radio broadcasters to ensure 60% of programs such as news and analysis are in Ukrainian.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-37908828|title=Language quotas for Ukraine radio shows|work=BBC News|date=8 November 2016|access-date=23 July 2019|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235425/https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-37908828|url-status=live}}

On 25 September 2017, a new law on education was signed by President Poroshenko (draft approved by Rada on 5 September 2017) which says that the Ukrainian language is the language of education at all levels except for one or more subjects that are allowed to be taught in two or more languages, namely English or one of the other official languages of the European Union. The law stipulates a 3-year transitional period to come in full effect.{{cite web|url=https://www.unian.info/society/2159231-new-education-law-becomes-effective-in-ukraine.html|title=New education law becomes effective in Ukraine|website=unian.info|access-date=23 February 2019|archive-date=27 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627202400/https://www.unian.info/society/2159231-new-education-law-becomes-effective-in-ukraine.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=Про освіту |url=http://zakon2.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2145-19/page |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20180907020654/http://zakon2.rada.gov.ua:80/laws/show/2145-19/page |archive-date=2018-09-07 |access-date=2025-05-17 |work=Законодавство України |language=uk}} In February 2018, this period was extended until 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.unian.info/politics/2395156-ukraine-agrees-to-concessions-to-hungary-in-language-row.html|title=Ukraine agrees to concessions to Hungary in language row|website=unian.info|access-date=11 June 2019|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235423/https://www.unian.info/politics/2395156-ukraine-agrees-to-concessions-to-hungary-in-language-row.html|url-status=live}}

The law was condemned by PACE that called it "a major impediment to the teaching of national minorities".{{cite web|url=http://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-XML2HTML-EN.asp?fileid=24218&lang=en|title=PACE – Resolution 2189 (2017) – The new Ukrainian law on education: a major impediment to the teaching of national minorities' mother tongues|website=assembly.coe.int}} The law also faced criticism from officials in Hungary, Romania and Russia{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-language-legislation-minority-languages-russia-hungary-romania/28753925.html|title=Ukrainian Language Bill Facing Barrage Of Criticism From Minorities, Foreign Capitals|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=19 July 2022 |last1=Wesolowsky |first1=Tony }} (Hungarian and Romanian are official languages of the European Union, Russian is not).{{cite web|title=Consolidated version of Regulation No 1 determining the languages to be used by the European Economic Community|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1958R0001:20070101:EN:PDF|format=PDF|work=Europa|publisher=European Union|access-date=30 July 2010|archive-date=22 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722150815/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1958R0001:20070101:EN:PDF|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Languages of Europe – Official EU languages|url=http://ec.europa.eu/languages/policy/linguistic-diversity/official-languages-eu_en.htm|publisher=European Commission|access-date=27 June 2016|archive-date=26 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926004848/http://ec.europa.eu/languages/policy/linguistic-diversity/official-languages-eu_en.htm|url-status=live}} Ukrainian officials stressed that the new law complies fully with European norms on minority rights.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41565090|title=Hungary in language dispute with Ukraine|work=BBC News|date=10 October 2017|via=bbc.com}} File:Президент підписав закон про державну мову; Мова – це платформа, на якій будується нація і держава 1.jpg signing the law "On provision of the functioning of the Ukrainian language as the State language"]] The law does state that "Persons belonging to indigenous peoples of Ukraine are guaranteed the right to study in public facilities of preschool and primary education in the language of instruction of the respective indigenous people, along with the state language of instruction" in separate classes or groups. PACE describes this as a significant curtailing of the rights of indigenous peoples carried out without consultations with their representatives. On 27 June 2018, Ukrainian foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin stated that following the recommendation of the Venice Commission the language provision of the (September 2017) law on education will not apply to private schools and that every public school for national minorities "will have broad powers to independently determine which classes will be taught in Ukrainian or their native language".{{Cite web |date=2018-06-27 |title=Hungary realizes Ukraine not to change education law – Klimkin |url=https://www.unian.info/politics/10167494-hungary-realizes-ukraine-not-to-change-education-law-klimkin.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235428/https://www.unian.info/politics/10167494-hungary-realizes-ukraine-not-to-change-education-law-klimkin.html |archive-date=14 February 2021 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.unian.info |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2018-01-12 |title=Debate on language provisions of Ukraine's education law not over – minister |url=https://www.unian.info/politics/2342342-debate-on-language-provisions-of-ukraines-education-law-not-over-minister.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214235439/https://www.unian.info/politics/2342342-debate-on-language-provisions-of-ukraines-education-law-not-over-minister.html |archive-date=14 February 2021 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.unian.info |language=en}}

On 15 May 2019, Poroshenko signed the law "On provision of the functioning of the Ukrainian language as the State language".{{cite web|url=https://www.unian.info/politics/10550289-poroshenko-enacts-ukraine-s-language-law.html|title=Poroshenko enacts Ukraine's language law|date=15 May 2019|website=www.unian.info|language=en|access-date=15 May 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/prezident-pidpisav-zakon-pro-derzhavnu-movu-mova-ce-platform-55319|title=President signed the law on the official language: Language is a platform on which the nation and state are built|date=15 May 2019|website=Official website of the President of Ukraine|language=en|access-date=20 May 2019|archive-date=16 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516190140/https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/prezident-pidpisav-zakon-pro-derzhavnu-movu-mova-ce-platform-55319|url-status=live}}{{efn|Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said the law was "unacceptable" and part of an "anti-Hungarian policy" of Poroshenko.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/news/2019/04/25/7095661/|script-title=uk:Глава МЗС Угорщини розкритикував закон про мову, покладає надії на Зеленського|trans-title=Hungarian FM criticized language law, puts hopes on Zelensky|date=26 April 2019|website=Yevropeiska Pravda|language=uk|access-date=8 May 2021}}}}

{{See also|Unification council of the Orthodox churches of Ukraine|Orthodox Church of Ukraine|Autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine|2018 Moscow–Constantinople schism}}

File:Unification council of Orthodox Church in Ukraine 114.jpg during the unification council. In order from left to right: Poroshenko, Epiphany, {{Interlanguage link|Metropolitan Emmanuel of France|lt=|fr|Emmanuel Adamakis|WD=}}, Filaret (Filaret is wearing a skufia), 15 December 2018.]]

Under Poroshenko the autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine was created by the merging of the UOC-KP and the UAOC, and two members of the UOC-MP in a unification council which also elected Epiphanius I as its first primate. The 11 October 2018 announcement by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople that it would, among other things, grant autocephaly to a Ukrainian church is one of the reasons which created the Moscow–Constantinople schism when the Moscow Patriarchate severed full communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate on 15 October 2018.

Corruption in Ukraine is a widespread problem; although there are signs that during Poroshenko presidency it decreased (thanks to the Prozorro procurement system).{{Cite news |date=2019-03-19 |title='Corruption in Ukraine has to be stopped' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47571043 |access-date=2025-05-17 |language=en-GB}} Poroshenko signed a decree to create the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine to comply with the requirements of the International Monetary Fund. Since 2015, the Bureau has sent 189 cases to court, but no one significant was convicted. The head of the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office reportedly coached suspects on how to avoid corruption charges.{{cite web|url=https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/want-know-whats-next-russian-election-interference-pay-attention-ukraines-elections|title=Want to Know What's Next in Russian Election Interference? Pay Attention to Ukraine's Elections|date=28 March 2019|website=Lawfare}}

A November 2018 EU Commission report praised some of Ukraine's reforms during Poroshenko's presidency, such as in healthcare, pensions and public administration. But judicial reforms were too slow, the report said, and "there have been only few convictions in high-level corruption cases so far". It also stated that too often attacks on civil society activists went unpunished.{{Cite news |date=2019-03-27 |title=Ukraine election: Why comic Zelensky is real threat to Poroshenko |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47654242 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327163040/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47654242 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |access-date=2025-05-17 |language=en-GB}}

During Poroshenko's 2019 campaign for reelection, a major scandal arose in which business partners of Poroshenko (but not Poroshenko himself) were accused of smuggling Russian components to Ukrainian defense factories at wildly inflated prices.[https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-02-27/ukraine-military-procurement-scandal-shakes-presidential-race This Graft Scandal May Be Too Much Even for Ukraine], Bloomberg News (27 February 2019)

Critics of Poroshenko stated he removed the jurisdiction of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine over records about off-the books payments to Paul J. Manafort, who lobbied on behalf of former Ukraine president Viktor Yanukovych, and served as campaign manager for Donald Trump during his first presidential campaign.{{Cite news |last=Kramer |first=Andrew E. |date=2017-07-27 |title=Ukraine's President Sidelines Opponent by Stripping His Citizenship |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/27/world/europe/mikhail-saakashvili-ukraine-citizenship-poroshenko.html |access-date=2025-05-17 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Moreover, Poroshenko stripped of Ukrainian citizenship Mikheil Saakashvili who criticized him for not fighting Ukrainian corruption.{{Cite news |last=Saakashvili |first=Mikheil |date=2016-11-16 |department=Opinion |title=Why Ukraine Is Losing the War on Corruption |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/17/opinion/why-ukraine-is-losing-the-war-on-corruption.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=2025-05-17 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

On 11 April 2019, the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine was established and Poroshenko signed the decree appointing the judges during an official ceremony.{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-s-president-poroshenko-creates-anti-corruption-court/29875480.html|title=Ukraine's President Creates Anti-Corruption Court|date=11 April 2019|website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|language=en|access-date=8 May 2019}}

In 2015, Poroshenko spoke in defense of a planned gay pride march in Kyiv, calling it "the constitutional right of every citizen of Ukraine"; he said, "As far as the 'March of Equality' is concerned, I view it from both the perspective of a Christian and a pro-European president. I believe these are two completely compatible ideas." Before Poroshenko's remarks, the nationalist Right Sector group had announced it would disrupt the march,{{cite news |last1=Bigg |first1=Claire |last2=Shtekel |first2=Mykhaylo |title=Ukraine Clashes Spotlight Deep Rifts Over Gay Rights |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-lgbt-rights-rifts/27064176.html |access-date=18 November 2024 |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=11 June 2015 |language=en}} and Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko had called for its cancellation, saying it would be divisive at a time of war and risk "[creating] another confrontation in the centre of the capital".{{cite news |last1=Armitage |first1=Susie |last2=Feder |first2=J. Lester |title=Ukrainian President Stands Up For LGBT "March Of Equality" |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/lesterfeder/kiev-mayor-calls-on-lgbt-activists-to-cancel-march-of-equali |access-date=18 November 2024 |work=BuzzFeed News |date=5 June 2015 |language=en}}

{{see also|List of international presidential trips made by Petro Poroshenko}}

File:Barack Obama meets with Petro Poroshenko, June 5th 2014.jpg meets with President-elect Poroshenko, 5 June 2014.]]

File:President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in the Oval Office (03).jpg in Washington, D.C., 20 June 2017]]

{{see also|Ukraine–United States relations}}

On 7 December 2015, Poroshenko met with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in Kyiv to discuss Ukrainian-American cooperation.{{cite news|url=http://nv.ua/ukr/ukraine/politics/zustrich-poroshenka-i-bajdena-osnovni-pidsumki-84433.html|title=Meeting Poroshenko and Biden: main results|publisher=nv.ua|date=8 December 2015|access-date=8 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209032739/http://nv.ua/ukr/ukraine/politics/zustrich-poroshenka-i-bajdena-osnovni-pidsumki-84433.html|archive-date=9 December 2015}} He met U.S. President Donald Trump in June 2017; BBC News falsely accused him of paying Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen between 400,000 and 600,000 dollars to organize this meeting.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44215656|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110191349/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44215656|archive-date=10 January 2019|title=Ukraine 'paid Trump lawyer for talks'|first=Paul|last=Wood|date=23 May 2018|access-date=26 November 2018|via=www.bbc.com}}{{cite news |last1=Paul Wood |title=Trump lawyer 'paid by Ukraine' to arrange White House talks |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44215656 |access-date=29 March 2019 |work=BBC |date=23 May 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180524044242/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44215656 |archive-date=24 May 2018 |quote=Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, received a secret payment of at least $400,000 (£300,000) to fix talks between the Ukrainian president and President Trump |url-status=live }} The BBC ended up having to state the allegation was untrue, apologizing to Poroshenko, deleting the article from its website, paying legal costs, and paying damages to Poroshenko.{{cite news |title=BBC pays damages to Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko over report |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47719166 |access-date=29 March 2019 |work=BBC |date=28 March 2019 |quote="We apologise to Mr Poroshenko for any distress caused and have agreed to pay him damages, legal costs and have participated in a joint statement in open court," the broadcaster said.}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/bbc-ukraine-poroshenko-trump-michael-cohen-defamation-a8844061.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/bbc-ukraine-poroshenko-trump-michael-cohen-defamation-a8844061.html |archive-date=26 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=BBC to pay 'substantial' damages to Ukrainian president over false allegations he authorised corrupt payment to meet Trump|date=2 March 2019|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=6 June 2019|quote=Jane Phillips, counsel for the BBC, said: 'The BBC is happy to acknowledge that these claims about the claimant are completely untrue, and it is here, through me, to apologise to the claimant for any distress and embarrassment caused to him by the article and the broadcast'.}}

{{see also|Russia–Ukraine relations}}

File:Normandy format talks in Minsk (February 2015) 03 (1).jpeg, French President François Hollande, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, 11 February 2015]]

In June 2014, Poroshenko forbade any cooperation with Russia in the military sphere.{{cite news|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/06/16/7029263/ |script-title=uk:Порошенко заборонив будь-яку співпрацю з Росією у військовій сфері |trans-title=Poroshenko forbade any cooperation with Russia in the military sphere |newspaper=Ukrayinska Pravda |date=16 June 2014 |access-date=16 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140617023142/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/06/16/7029263/ |archive-date=17 June 2014 |language=uk }}

At the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 26 June 2014 Poroshenko stated that bilateral relations with Russia cannot be normalized unless Russia undoes its unilateral annexation of Crimea and returns its control of Crimea to Ukraine.{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/211091.html |title=Ukraine cannot normalize relations with Russia without return of Crimea, says Poroshenko |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=26 June 2014 |access-date=26 June 2014 |archive-date=27 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627221848/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/211091.html }}

On Poroshenko's June 2014 Peace plan for Eastern Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov commented, "it looks like an ultimatum."{{cite news |url=http://www.aljazeerah.info/News/2014/June/22%20n/Poroshenko%20Warns%20of%20Detailed%20Plan%20B%20If%20Ukraine%20Ceasefire%20Fails,%20Gets%20Limited%20Support%20from%20Putin,%20June%2022,%202014.htm |title=Poroshenko warns of 'detailed Plan B' if Ukraine ceasefire fails |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=22 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=1 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701211805/http://www.aljazeerah.info/News/2014/June/22%20n/Poroshenko%20Warns%20of%20Detailed%20Plan%20B%20If%20Ukraine%20Ceasefire%20Fails%2C%20Gets%20Limited%20Support%20from%20Putin%2C%20June%2022%2C%202014.htm }}

On 26 August 2014, Poroshenko met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Minsk where Putin called on Ukraine not to escalate its offensive. Poroshenko responded by demanding Russia halt its supplying of arms to separatist fighters. He said his country wanted a political compromise and promised the interests of Russian-speaking people in eastern Ukraine would be considered.{{cite news|title=Eastern Ukraine tensions figure in Putin and Poroshenko talks |url=http://www.moscownews.net/index.php/sid/225119533 |date=26 August 2014 |access-date=28 August 2014 |publisher=Moscow News |url-status=live |archive-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903063542/http://www.moscownews.net/index.php/sid/225119533 }}

File:Petro Poroshenko in Slovenia in 2016 22.jpg Borut Pahor in Ljubljana, 8 November 2016]]

File:Petro Poroshenko and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.jpg in Istanbul, 3 November 2018]]

{{see also|Ukraine–European Union relations}}

File:Poroschenko Merkel and Biden Security Conference February 2015.jpg and Joe Biden, 7 February 2015]]

File:Petro Poroshenko and Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace on April 12, 2019 (2).jpg in Paris, 12 April 2019]]

The European Union (EU) and Ukraine signed the economic part of the Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement on 27 June 2014.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28052645 |title=EU signs pacts with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova |work=BBC News |date=27 June 2014 |access-date=27 June 2014 |archive-date=27 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627210422/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28052645 |url-status=live }} Poroshenko stated that the day was "Ukraine's most historic day since independence in 1991", describing it as a "symbol of faith and unbreakable will". He saw the signing as the start of preparations for Ukrainian EU Membership.

{{see also|Ukraine–NATO relations}}

File:Ukraine – NATO Commission chaired by Petro Poroshenko (2017-07-10) 38.jpg in Kyiv, 10 July 2017]]

At his speech at the opening session of the new parliament on 27 November 2014, Poroshenko stated that "we've decided to return to the course of NATO integration" because "the nonalignment status of Ukraine proclaimed in 2010 couldn't guarantee our security and territorial integrity".{{Cite news |last=Herszenhorn |first=David M. |date=2014-11-28 |title=A Tilt Toward NATO in Ukraine as Parliament Meets |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/28/world/europe/a-tilt-toward-nato-in-ukraine-as-parliament-meets.html?action=click&contentCollection=Europe&module=RelatedCoverage®ion=Marginalia&pgtype=article |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322074839/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/28/world/europe/a-tilt-toward-nato-in-ukraine-as-parliament-meets.html?action=click&contentCollection=Europe&module=RelatedCoverage®ion=Marginalia&pgtype=article |archive-date=22 March 2017 |access-date=2025-05-17 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} The Ukrainian parliament on 23 December 2014 voted 303 to 8 to repeal a 2010 bill that had made Ukraine a non-aligned state in a bill submitted by Poroshenko.{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/241388.html|title=Ukraine has no alternative to Euro-Atlantic integration – Poroshenko|work=Interfax-Ukraine|date=23 December 2014|access-date=30 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060210/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/241388.html|archive-date=4 March 2016}}
{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/241359.html|title=Ukraine abolishes its non-aligned status – law|work=Interfax-Ukraine|date=23 December 2014|access-date=30 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224003612/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/241359.html|archive-date=24 December 2014}}
{{cite news|url=http://www.euronews.com/2014/12/23/ukraine-s-complicated-path-to-nato-membership/|title=Ukraine's complicated path to NATO membership|work=Euronews|date=23 December 2014|access-date=30 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070543/http://www.euronews.com/2014/12/23/ukraine-s-complicated-path-to-nato-membership/|archive-date=4 March 2016}}
{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/24/world/europe/ukraine-parliament-nato-vote.html?_r=2|title=Ukraine Takes Step Toward Joining NATO|work=New York Times|date=23 December 2014|access-date=30 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322075205/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/24/world/europe/ukraine-parliament-nato-vote.html?_r=2|archive-date=22 March 2017}}
{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-ends-nonaligned-status-earning-quick-rebuke-from-russia-1419339226|title=Ukraine Ends 'Nonaligned' Status, Earning Quick Rebuke From Russia|work=The Wall Street journal|date=23 December 2014|access-date=30 March 2016|url-access=subscription |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304222433/http://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-ends-nonaligned-status-earning-quick-rebuke-from-russia-1419339226|archive-date=4 March 2016}}

On 29 December 2014, Poroshenko vowed to hold a referendum on joining NATO.{{cite news|url=http://www.euronews.com/2014/12/30/new-year-new-hope-as-ukraine-paves-way-for-nato-membership/|title=New Year, new hope as Ukraine paves way for NATO membership|work=Euronews|date=30 December 2014|access-date=30 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075515/http://www.euronews.com/2014/12/30/new-year-new-hope-as-ukraine-paves-way-for-nato-membership/|archive-date=4 March 2016}} On 22 September 2015, Poroshenko claimed that "Russia's aggressive actions" proved need for the enlargement of NATO and that the Ukrainian referendum on joining NATO would be held after "every condition for the Ukrainian compliance with NATO membership criteria" was met by "reforming our country".{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/291713.html|title=Russia's actions prove need for NATO expansion – Poroshenko|work=Interfax-Ukraine|date=22 September 2015|access-date=30 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408080426/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/291713.html|archive-date=8 April 2016}}
{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/291691.html|title=Decision on referendum regarding Ukraine's membership in NATO to be made after reforms – Poroshenko|work=Interfax-Ukraine|date=22 September 2015|access-date=30 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408100326/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/291691.html|archive-date=8 April 2016}}
{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/291686.html|title=Ukraine-NATO cooperation is crucially important for global security due to Russian aggression – Poroshenko|work=Interfax-Ukraine|date=22 September 2015|access-date=30 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408105433/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/291686.html|archive-date=8 April 2016}}

On 2 February 2017, in an interview with Funke Mediengruppe, Poroshenko announced he was planning a referendum on whether Ukraine should join NATO.{{Cite web |title=NATO calls on Russia to stop violence in Ukraine |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/4/6/nato-calls-on-russia-to-stop-violence-in-ukraine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224221639/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/nato-calls-russia-stop-violence-ukraine-170202054257166.html |archive-date=24 February 2017 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}

Poroshenko was criticized by the Committee to Protect Journalists for signing a decree which banned 41 international journalists and bloggers from entering Ukraine for one year, being labeled as threats to national security.{{cite web|url=https://cpj.org/2015/09/ukraine-bans-41-international-journalists-and-blog.php|title=Ukraine bans 41 international journalists and bloggers|work=CPJ|date=16 September 2015|access-date=10 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113164920/https://cpj.org/2015/09/ukraine-bans-41-international-journalists-and-blog.php|archive-date=13 January 2016}} The list includes three journalists from the BBC, and two Spanish journalists currently missing in Syria, all of whom previously covered the Ukraine crisis.{{cite news|author=Umberto Bacchi|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ukraine-bbc-boss-slams-shameful-ban-international-journalists-1520086|title=Ukraine: BBC boss slams 'shameful' ban on international journalists|newspaper=International Business Times|date=17 September 2015|access-date=10 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304130055/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ukraine-bbc-boss-slams-shameful-ban-international-journalists-1520086|archive-date=4 March 2016}}

In October 2015, Poroshenko visited the Kazakh capital of Astana, during which he told President Nursultan Nazarbayev that his country was Ukraine's "window to Asia" and vice versa.{{cite web|url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/1895612-poroshenko-kazakhstan-is-window-to-asia-for-ukraine-while-ukraine-is-window-to-europe-for-kazakhstan.html|title=Poroshenko: Kazakhstan is 'window to Asia' for Ukraine, while Ukraine is 'window to Europe' for Kazakhstan|website=www.ukrinform.net|access-date=11 April 2020}} During a visit to Gomel, Belarus in October 2018, he spoke to the Ukrainian community on the situation in Ukraine, saying that he does "not want Russia to use Belarus to get to our flank".{{cite web|url=https://uawire.org/poroshenko-we-do-not-want-russia-to-attack-us-through-belarus|title=Ukrainian President: we do not want Russia to attack us through Belarus|website=UAWire|access-date=11 April 2020}}

In the 2019 Ukrainian presidential election, Poroshenko received 24.5% of the second round votes, and was defeated by Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

There was no consensus in the expert community on a single reason why Poroshenko lost, although various reasons cited include:

• failure to successfully end the war;
• failure to stem corruption;
• several corruption scandals in which Poroshenko or people closely associated with him were involved (that included an investigation publicized during the election campaign, according to which associates of Poroshenko created a money laundering scheme in Ukroboronprom);
• a conflict with Ihor Kolomoyskyi which resulted in an anti-Poroshenko campaign by 1+1 Media Group (one of the largest media conglomerates in Ukraine);
• an information campaign supported by Russia against him;
• an overall fatigue from Ukrainian political elites;
• a presidential campaign that was focused almost exclusively on the right-wing and nationalistic population and exploited the patriotism topic at the expense of debates about social and economic situation; and
• lack of understanding and communication with Ukrainian people.{{cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/en/how-volodymyr-zelenskiy-beat-petro-poroshenko-in-ukraine/a-48437457 |title=How Volodymyr Zelenskiy beat Petro Poroshenko in Ukraine | Europe | News and current affairs from around the continent |publisher=Deutsche Welle |date=22 April 2019 |access-date=16 February 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/why-poroshenko-lost/ |title=Why Poroshenko lost |publisher=Atlantic Council |date=23 April 2019 |access-date=16 February 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/features-48014448 |title=Чому Порошенко програв вибори? П'ять причин|publisher=BBC Ukraine|date=22 April 2019 |access-date=5 August 2022|language=uk}}{{cite web|url=https://texty.org.ua/articles/93496/Devjat_prychyn_chomu_prograv_Poroshenko_i_shho-93496/|title=Дев'ять причин, чому програв Порошенко, і що йому робити далі|publisher=Texty.org.ua|date=6 May 2019 |access-date=5 August 2022|language=uk}}{{cite web|url=https://hvylya.net/analytics/politics/prichini-porazki-poroshenka-infantilizm-jak-shans-na-uspih.html|title=Причини поразки Порошенка: "інфантилізм"- як шанс на успіх|publisher=hvylya.net|date=4 May 2019 |access-date=5 August 2022|language=uk}}{{cite web|url=https://fakty.com.ua/ua/ukraine/20190422-vnutrishnya-polityka-i-komunikatsiya-z-narodom-yaki-kroky-poroshenka-pryzvely-do-jogo-porazky/|title=Внутрішня політика і комунікація з народом: які кроки Порошенка призвели до його поразки|publisher=ICTV|date=22 April 2019 |access-date=5 August 2022|language=uk}}{{cite web|url=https://biz.liga.net/ekonomika/all/opinion/desyat-prichin-razgromnogo-proigrysha-petra-poroshenka|title=Десять причин разгромного проигрыша Петра Порошенко|publisher=Liga Biznes|date=22 April 2019 |access-date=5 August 2022|language=ru}}

In the 2019 Ukrainian parliamentary election, Poroshenko was first on the party list of European Solidarity.{{cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2019/06/9/7217580/|title=Десятка партії Порошенка: Парубій, Геращенко, Джемілєв|website=Українська правда}}

On 20 December 2019, Ukrainian law enforcement raided both Poroshenko's party headquarters and gym on the orders of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Hidden cameras and recording devices were found inside the gym's smoke detectors and security alarms. According to the State Investigation Bureau, those were allegedly secretly recording and filming Poroshenko's gym clients, some of which are politicians and businessmen. Poroshenko and Ihor Kononenko, deputy head of Poroshenko's party, are both owners of the gym and could not be reached for comments. The raid was part of two ongoing criminal investigations which are focused on two concerns. First, the alleged theft of servers with classified information. Second, the alleged tax evasion and money laundering.{{cite web|url=https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/law-enforcers-search-poroshenkos-party-headquarters-and-gym.html|title=Law enforcers search Poroshenko's party headquarters and gym|last=Sorokin|first=Oleksiy|date=2 December 2019|website=KyivPost|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200104231421/https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/law-enforcers-search-poroshenkos-party-headquarters-and-gym.html?cn-reloaded=1|archive-date=4 January 2020|access-date=4 January 2020}}

In May 2020, Andrii Derkach, a former Ukrainian lawmaker who is aligned with a pro-Russian faction and has links to Russian intelligence, released edited fragments of private phone calls from several years between then U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (the then-presumptive Democratic nominee for U.S. president, elected president in 2020) and then-President Poroshenko. Derkach used the clips to make a series of accusations not supported by the tapes.{{cite web|title=Ukrainian lawmaker releases leaked phone calls of Biden and Poroshenko|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/ukrainian-lawmaker-releases-leaked-phone-calls-of-biden-and-poroshenko/2020/05/19/cc1e6030-9a26-11ea-b60c-3be060a4f8e1_story.html|last1=Sonne|first1=Paul|last2=Helderman|first2=Rosalind S.|newspaper=Washington Post|date=19 May 2020|access-date=22 May 2020|archive-date=30 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630225627/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/ukrainian-lawmaker-releases-leaked-phone-calls-of-biden-and-poroshenko/2020/05/19/cc1e6030-9a26-11ea-b60c-3be060a4f8e1_story.html|url-status=live}} The taped conversations were consistent with official U.S. and European policy at the time and with public statements by Biden and Poroshenko. Derkach had met with Rudolph W. Giuliani in December 2019.

Derkach's maneuver raised questions about foreign interference in the 2020 U.S. elections, and echoed Russian government's interference into the 2016 election. Biden's campaign and Poroshenko's political party European Solidarity described Derkach's act (which was publicized by the Russian state-controlled network RT) as a Russian attempt to harm Biden and disparage Ukraine. In September 2020, the US Treasury Department sanctioned Derkach "for attempting to influence the U.S. electoral process", alleging he "has been an active Russian agent for over a decade, maintaining close connections with the Russian Intelligence Services".{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/10/politics/treasury-sanctions-derkach-ukraine-election-interference/index.html|title=Vowing crackdown on Russian meddling, US sanctions Ukrainian lawmaker who worked with Giuliani to smear Biden|author=Zachary Cohen, Kylie Atwood and Marshall Cohen|website=CNN|access-date=11 September 2020|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031001312/https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/10/politics/treasury-sanctions-derkach-ukraine-election-interference/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1118|title=Treasury Sanctions Russia-Linked Election Interference Actors|date=10 September 2020|website=United States Department of the Treasury|access-date=11 September 2020|archive-date=11 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911000450/https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1118|url-status=live}}

Two days after the passing of the anti-oligarch law, which seeks to curb the influence of Ukraine's wealthiest individuals, Poroshenko sold the TV channels Priamyi and 5 Kanal.{{cite news|title=Ukraine's Former President Sells TV Channels Following Passage Of 'Oligarch' Bill|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-poroshenko-sells-tv-channels/31552756.html|access-date=11 November 2021|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=9 November 2021 |language=en}}

On 20 December 2021, Poroshenko was accused of state treason, aiding terrorist organizations and financing terrorism due to allegedly organizing the purchase of coal from separatist-controlled areas of Ukraine together with pro-Russian politician Viktor Medvedchuk.{{cite web|title=Бывший президент Украины Петр Порошенко стал подозреваемым по делу о государственной измене|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/12/20/byvshiy-prezident-ukrainy-petr-poroshenko-stal-podozrevaemym-po-delu-o-gosudarstvennoy-izmene|access-date=20 December 2021|website=Meduza|language=ru}} If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.{{cite news|title=Ex-President Poroshenko Defiant As He Returns To Ukraine To Face Treason Charges|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/poroshenko-ukraine-treason-/31657338.html|access-date=18 January 2022|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=18 January 2022 |language=en}} Poroshenko denied the allegations, calling them "fabricated, politically motivated, and black PR directed against [Zelenskyy's] political opponents". On 6 January 2022, a Ukrainian court seized Poroshenko's property.{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-poroshenko-property-seized-trreason/31642518.html |title=Ukrainian Court Seizes Property Of Ex-President Poroshenko Following Treason Accusations |publisher=Rferl.org |date=6 January 2022 |access-date=16 February 2022}} On 15 January 2022, Poroshenko announced via a video message on Facebook: "I am returning to Ukraine on a flight from Warsaw at 09:10 a.m. on January 17... to defend Ukraine from Russian aggression", despite the case against him.{{cite web|title=Poroshenko plans to return to Ukraine in Jan|url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3373027-poroshenko-plans-to-return-to-ukraine-in-jan.html|access-date=4 January 2022|website=www.ukrinform.net}}{{cite web|title=Poroshenko arrives in Ukraine from Warsaw at 09:10 a.m. Monday|url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/791765.html|access-date=16 January 2022|website=Interfax-Ukraine|language=en}}

Following his return to Ukraine, the prosecutor's office asked a court to either remand Poroshenko in pre-trial detention for two months, or oblige him to pay bail of ₴1 billion (US$37 million), wear an electronic bracelet, remain in Kyiv, and hand over his passport.{{cite web|title=Прокурори просять заарештувати Порошенка із заставою в мільярд гривень|url=https://www.unian.ua/politics/prokurori-prosyat-zaareshtuvati-poroshenka-iz-zastavoyu-v-milyard-griven-novini-ukrajina-11674144.html|access-date=18 January 2022|website=www.unian.ua|language=uk}}{{cite web|title=Повернення Порошенка: коли історія перетворюється на фарс|url=https://www.unian.ua/politics/povernennya-poroshenko-koli-istoriya-peretvoryuyetsya-na-fars-novini-ukrajina-11674339.html|access-date=18 January 2022|website=www.unian.ua|language=uk}} The court chose a third option ('personal commitment'), which is less strict than house arrest and doesn't involve paying bail.{{cite web|title=Суд в Киеве не стал арестовывать Петра Порошенко по делу о госизмене|url=https://meduza.io/news/2022/01/19/sud-v-kieve-ne-stal-arestovyvat-petra-poroshenko-po-delu-o-gosizmene|access-date=19 January 2022|website=Meduza|language=ru}}{{cite news|title=Ukrainian Court Rejects Detention Request For Ex-President Accused Of Treason|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-poroshenko-treason-detention/31661598.html|access-date=19 January 2022|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=19 January 2022 |language=en}} According to this commitment, Poroshenko has to submit his passport to the authorities, not leave Kyiv or the Kyiv Oblast without first receiving permission from the court or the prosecutors office, and inform the authorities if his place of employment or residence change.{{cite web|title="Вугільна справа": Порошенка відпустили під особисте зобов'язання |url=https://hromadske.ua/posts/vugilna-sprava-poroshenka-vidpustili-pid-osobiste-zobovyazannya|access-date=19 January 2022|website=Hromadske |date=19 January 2022 |language=uk}}

{{Main|Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

On 25 February 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Poroshenko appeared on TV with a Kalashnikov rifle together with the civil defense forces on the streets of Kyiv. He also stated that he believed that "Putin will never conquer Ukraine, no matter how many soldiers he has, how many missiles he has, how many nuclear weapons he has... We Ukrainians are a free people, with a great European future. This is definitely so."{{Cite web|title=Invasión de Rusia a Ucrania: el ex presidente Petro Poroshenko salió a defender Kiev con un rifle Kalashnikov|url=https://www.infobae.com/america/mundo/2022/02/25/invasion-de-rusia-a-ucrania-el-ex-presidente-petro-poroshenko-salio-a-defender-kiev-con-un-rifle-kalashnikov/|access-date=25 February 2022|website=infobae|date=25 February 2022 |language=es-ES}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEemYjYRYsg |title=Former Ukrainian president is on the streets with a rifle |date=2022-02-25 |last= |access-date=2025-05-17 |via=YouTube}} On 12 March 2022, on the 17th day of the Russian invasion, Poroshenko personally handed over two civilian pickup trucks labeled "Bandera-Mobiles", in honor of Ukrainian nationalist leader Stepan Bandera, to members of the 206th Territorial Defense Battalion of Kyiv. Both trucks were retrofitted with Soviet PKM machine guns, 450 bulletproof vests and decals of Bandera's face on the hood of both vehicles.(Priamyi kanal) {{Cite web |date=12 March 2022 |title=Порошенко передав захисникам України 450 бронежилетів, вантажівки та броньовані "бандеромобілі", озброєні кулеметами |url=https://prm.ua/poroshenko-peredav-zakhysnykam-ukrainy-450-bronezhyletiv-vantazhivky-ta-bronovani-banderomobili-ozbroieni-kulemetamy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323160820/https://prm.ua/poroshenko-peredav-zakhysnykam-ukrainy-450-bronezhyletiv-vantazhivky-ta-bronovani-banderomobili-ozbroieni-kulemetamy/ |archive-date=23 March 2022 |access-date=23 March 2022}} At the end of May 2022, Poroshenko said he was not allowed to leave the country to visit Lithuania. Despite an official travel permit, he was refused entry to the border. Poroshenko wanted to attend the spring session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Vilnius as a member of the Ukrainian delegation.{{Cite web |last=Mandanda |first=Steve |date=2020-05-22 |title=rr88 |url=https://rr88casino.games |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=Tagesschau |language=en}} However, he was later allowed to leave Ukraine at the Polish border to attend a political meeting about the war.{{cite news |title=Ukraine's ex-president Poroshenko leaves country for political meeting |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-ex-president-poroshenko-leaves-country-political-meeting-2022-05-30/ |access-date=30 May 2022 |work=Reuters |date=30 May 2022}} In July 2023, he criticized Volodymyr Zelenskyy for not getting a NATO entry promise from western leadership, during that year's NATO summit in Vilnius.{{Cite web |title=ЯК НАБЛИЗИТИ НАТО: ПІДСУМКИ САМІТУ НАТО У ВІЛЬНЮСІ – ПОРОШЕНКО У МАРАФОНІ "НАБЛИЗИТИ НАТО" |date=14 July 2023 |url=https://www.5.ua/polityka/yak-nablyzyty-nato-pidsumky-samitu-nato-u-vilniusi-poroshenko-u-marafoni-nablyzyty-nato-309703.html}} In December 2023, Poroshenko was again prevented from leaving Ukraine, despite having an official travel permit signed by Verkhovna Rada speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk.{{Cite web |title=Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko was not allowed to leave state -VIDEO |url=https://en.apa.az/europe/former-ukrainian-president-petro-poroshenko-was-not-allowed-to-leave-state-video-417609 |access-date=2023-12-01 |website=Apa.az |language=en}}

In April 2024, Poroshenko announced his intention to participate in the upcoming Ukrainian presidential election.{{Cite web |title=Poroshenko plans to run for president again after war ends |url=https://kyivindependent.com/poroshenko-plans-to-run-for-president-again-after-war-ends/ |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=The Kyiv Independent |date=3 April 2024 |language=en}} On 4 May 2024, Poroshenko was added to a wanted list by the Russian government on unspecified criminal charges, along with current president Zelenskyy and commander Oleksandr Pavliuk.{{cite news |last1=Bajwa |first1=Hareem |title=Russia puts Zelenskyy and Poroshenko on the wanted list |url=https://easternherald.com/2024/05/04/zelenskyy-poroshenko-wanted-in-russia/ |access-date=5 May 2024 |work=The Eastern Herald |date=4 May 2024}}{{cite news |title=Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukrainian-president-wanted-arrest-warrant-zelenskyy-e9714751f2481575aaf8935b132e0f31 |access-date=5 May 2024 |work=AP News |date=5 May 2024}} In October 2024, Poroshenko donated US$1 million worth of FPV drones to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.{{cite news |url=https://thedefensepost.com/2024/10/21/poroshenko-military-aid-ukraine/ |title=Former President Poroshenko Donates $1 Million in Military Aid to Ukraine |date=21 October 2024 }}

On 12 February 2025, Poroshenko was sanctioned by Zelenskyy through the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine on suspicion of "high treason" and assisting a terrorist organization, which Poroshenko said was "politically motivated". {{cite news |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-slaps-sanctions-on-former-president-petro-poroshenko-viktor-medvedchuk/ |title=Tensions erupt in Ukraine as Zelenskyy sanctions former leader Poroshenko |date=13 February 2025 |work=Politico.eu }} Apart from Poroshenko, four other oligarchs - Ihor Kolomoyskyi, Gennadiy Bogolyubov, Kostyantyn Zhevago and Viktor Medvedchuk - were also sanctioned.{{cite news |last1=Balachuk |first1=Iryna |title=Zelenskyy approves sanctions against five Ukrainian oligarchs |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/02/13/7498084/ |access-date=15 February 2025 |work=Ukrainska Pravda |date=13 February 2025 |language=en}} The next day, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office announced the opening of criminal investigations against Poroshenko and other sanctioned individuals.{{cite news |url=https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-opens-criminal-cases-against-ex-president-poroshenko-sanctioned-oligarchs-businessmen/ |title=Ukraine opens criminal cases against ex-President Poroshenko, sanctioned oligarchs, businessmen |date=13 February 2025 |work=The Kyiv Independent |author=Tim Zadorozhnyy }}

Members of European Solidarity blocked the podium of the Verkhovna Rada for two days in protest,{{cite news |last1=Melnyk |first1=Roman |date=13 February 2025 |title=«Україна — не росія»: у Раді депутати заблокували трибуну на фоні санкцій проти Порошенка |trans-title="Ukraine is not Russia": in the Rada, deputies blocked the podium against the backdrop of sanctions against Poroshenko |url=https://hromadske.ua/polityka/239604-ukrayina-ne-rosiia-u-radi-deputaty-blokuvaly-trybunu-na-foni-sanktsiy-proty-poroshenka |access-date=16 February 2025 |work=hromadske |language=uk}} and Poroshenko said on 16 February he would go to court against the sanctions.{{cite news |last1=Abramova |first1=Anett |title=Порошенко планує звернутися до суду через санкції РНБО: Це називається хаос [Poroshenko plans to appeal to the court over the NSDC sanctions: This is called chaos] |url=https://hromadske.ua/polityka/239797-poroshenko-planuye-zvernutysia-do-sudu-cherez-sanktsiyi-rnbo-tse-nazyvayetsia-khaos |access-date=16 February 2025 |work=hromadske |date=16 February 2025 |language=uk}}

{{Main|Panama Papers|List of people named in the Panama Papers}}

Poroshenko was named in the Paradise Papers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.icij.org/investigations/paradise-papers/explore-politicians-paradise-papers/|title=Explore The Politicians in the Paradise Papers – ICIJ|work=ICIJ|access-date=6 December 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=6 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106011937/https://www.icij.org/investigations/paradise-papers/explore-politicians-paradise-papers/|url-status=live}} He set up an offshore company in the British Virgin Islands during the peak of the war in Donbas.{{cite news|first1=Pavel|last1=Polityuk|first2=Alessandra|last2=Prentice|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-panama-tax-ukraine-idUSKCN0X1158|title=Ukraine's Poroshenko defends record after Panama leaks|work=Reuters|date=4 April 2016|access-date=7 April 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407085008/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-panama-tax-ukraine-idUSKCN0X1158|archive-date=7 April 2016}} Leaked documents from the Panama Papers show he registered the company, Prime Asset Partners Ltd, on 21 August 2014. Records in Cyprus show him as the firm's only shareholder.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/apr/04/panama-papers-ukraine-petro-poroshenko-secret-offshore-firm-russia|title=Ukraine's leader set up secret offshore firm as battle raged with Russia|work=Guardian|date=4 April 2016|access-date=7 April 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407003306/http://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/apr/04/panama-papers-ukraine-petro-poroshenko-secret-offshore-firm-russia|archive-date=7 April 2016}} He said that he had done nothing wrong, and the legal firm, Avellum, overseeing the sale of Roshen, his confectionery company, said that "any allegations of tax evasion (were) groundless". The anti-corruption group Transparency International believes that the "creation of businesses while serving as president is a direct violation of the constitution". A similar explanation was given by current President Zelenskyy when he was named in the Pandora Papers.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35958762|title=Panama Papers: Ukraine President Poroshenko denies tax claims|work=BBC News|date=4 April 2016|access-date=7 April 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/oct/03/revealed-anti-oligarch-ukrainian-president-offshore-connections-volodymyr-zelenskiy|title=Revealed: 'anti-oligarch' Ukrainian president's offshore connections|work=Guardian|date=3 October 2021|access-date=3 October 2021}}

File:The President's family on the 27th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence - 2018.jpg (in blue) with some of the couple's children on Ukraine's 27th Independence day, 24 August 2018]]

Poroshenko has been married to Maryna Perevedentseva, a cardiologist, since 1984.{{cite web|author1=Tadeusz A. Olszański|author2=Agata Wierzbowska-Miazga|url=http://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2014-05-28/poroshenko-president-ukraine|title=Poroshenko, President of Ukraine|publisher=OSW, Poland|date=28 May 2014|access-date=10 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308061143/http://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2014-05-28/poroshenko-president-ukraine|archive-date=8 March 2016}} The couple have four children together: Oleksii (born 1985), twins Yevheniia and Oleksandra (born 2000) and Mykhailo (born 2001). Oleksii was a representative in the regional parliament of Vinnytsia Oblast. In November 2014, he became a People's Deputy of Ukraine with 64.04% of votes in constituency No.12.{{Cite web | url = http://www.cvk.gov.ua/pls/vnd2014/wp039?PT001F01=910 | title = Син Порошенка Олексій виграв вибори в Раду в окрузі №12 у Вінницькій області | publisher = Central Election Commission (Ukraine) | date = 2014-10-28 | language = uk | access-date = 2019-01-23 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181019205507/http://www.cvk.gov.ua/pls/vnd2014/wp039?PT001F01=910 | archive-date = 2018-10-19 }} Poroshenko became a grandfather on the day of his presidential inauguration, 7 June 2014.{{cite news|script-title=uk:Порошенко став дідом|trans-title=Poroshenko has become a grandfather|newspaper=Ukrayinska Pravda|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/06/7/7028425/|date=7 June 2014|access-date=7 June 2014|language=uk|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608032422/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/06/7/7028425/|archive-date=8 June 2014}}

His wife is actively involved in the activities of the Petro Poroshenko Charity Foundation.

File:Unification council of Orthodox Church in Ukraine 128.jpg and Andrii Parubii after the unification council of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine on 15 December 2018]]

Poroshenko is a member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Poroshenko has financed the restoration of its buildings and monasteries.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/23/petro-poroshenko-heads-landslide-ukraine-election |title=Chocolate tycoon heads for landslide victory in Ukraine presidential election |author=Luke Harding and Oksana Grytsenko |work=The Guardian |date=23 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609171626/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/23/petro-poroshenko-heads-landslide-ukraine-election |archive-date=9 June 2014 |url-status=live }}
{{cite news|url=http://ukrainianweek.com/Politics/46136 |title=The Return of the Prodigal Son, Who Never Left Home |publisher=The Ukrainian Week |date=30 March 2012 |access-date=17 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030002842/http://ukrainianweek.com/Politics/46136 |archive-date=30 October 2013 |url-status=live }}
{{cite news|url=http://day.kyiv.ua/en/article/society/who-will-lead-ukrainian-orthodox-church-moscow-patriarchate-and-where |title=Who will lead Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) and where? |newspaper=Den |date=27 February 2014 |access-date=17 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228063016/http://www.day.kiev.ua/en/article/society/who-will-lead-ukrainian-orthodox-church-moscow-patriarchate-and-where |archive-date=28 February 2014 |url-status=live }} In high-level meetings he is often seen with a crucifix.

In addition to his native language, Ukrainian, Poroshenko is fluent in Russian, English, and Romanian.{{cite news|url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-international-18382147-video-petro-poroshenko-discurs-limba-romana-cernauti.htm|title=Petro Poroshenko, discurs în limba română la Cernăuți|newspaper=HotNews|date=26 October 2014|language=ro}}

Poroshenko is diabetic.{{cite web|url=https://themoscowtimes.com/articles/who-does-putin-want-as-ukrainian-president-32765|title=Who Does Putin Want as Ukrainian President?|date=6 March 2014|access-date=26 November 2018}}

File:Petro Poroshenko addresses Euromaidan.jpg protesters on 8 December 2013]]

Poroshenko has been nicknamed the "Chocolate King" because of his ownership of Roshen. Poroshenko has objected to being called an oligarch, saying: "Oligarchs are people who seek power in order to further enrich themselves. But I have long fought against bandits who are robbing our country and have destroyed free enterprise."

After promising in his election campaign to sell his business assets when elected as the president of Ukraine, according to Poroshenko and Rothschild Wealth Management & Trust, after becoming President of Ukraine, he relinquished the management of his businesses, ultimately (in January 2016) to a blind trust.

During his speeches Poroshenko on numerous occasions called the war in East Ukraine a "Patriotic War",{{Cite web |title=Порошенко: Ця війна увійде в історію як вітчизняна |trans-title=Poroshenko: this war will enter the history as patriotic |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/08/24/7035656/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Українська правда |language=uk}}{{Cite web |date=2014-10-06 |title=Сьогодні в Україні йде вітчизняна війна 2014 року, – Порошенко (відео) |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006160959/https://tvi.ua/new/2014/10/04/sohodni_v_ukrayini_yde_vitchyznyana_viyna_2014_roku___poroshenko_video |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=web.archive.org}}{{Cite news |last=Свобода |first=Радіо |date=2014-10-28 |title=Порошенко: вірю у перемогу у Вітчизняній війні 2014 року |url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/26661001.html |access-date=2025-05-17 |work=Радіо Свобода |language=uk}} yet did not initiate implementation of martial law, for which he was criticized on numerous occasions by politicians and the general public.{{Cite web |date=2014-08-28 |title=Чи треба запроваджувати воєнний стан? |url=https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/politics/2014/08/140828_experts_on_martial_law_vs |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=BBC News Україна |language=uk}}{{Cite web |title=Майдан та батальйони вимагають від Порошенка запровадити воєнний стан на Донбасі |trans-title=Maidan and battalions are requesting for Poroshenko to implement martial law in Donbas |url=http://vgolos.com.ua/news/maydan_ta_batalyony_vymagayut_vid_poroshenka_zaprovadyty_voiennyy_stan_na_donbasi_149795.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20180527023638/http://vgolos.com.ua/news/maydan_ta_batalyony_vymagayut_vid_poroshenka_zaprovadyty_voiennyy_stan_na_donbasi_149795.html |archive-date=2018-05-27 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=vgolos.com.ua}} Poroshenko said it was necessary to realize the consequences of martial law for the country:

• It would restrict the supply of weaponry and items of dual assignment;
• The IMF does not provide funds to countries that are at war.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-16 |title=Новини України і світу сьогодні • Головні і останні новини дня Преса України |url=https://uapress.info |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Пресса Украины |language=uk}}

A month later, the second statement was refuted by a head of the IMF's Ukrainian branch, Jerome Vacher, "As for the possible introduction of martial law, the IMF has no formal legal restrictions that impede continuation of mutual cooperation under such conditions. We have already worked with a number of countries where war conflicts of various intensity unfolded."{{Cite web |last=Україна |date=2014-10-29 |script-title=uk:МВФ продовжить підтримку України в разі введення воєнного стану |url=https://ukr.media/ukrain/214620/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Ukr.Media |language=uk}}

On 5 February 2015, in his interview with the Spanish El País newspaper, Poroshenko stated that he would introduce martial law in the event of an escalation of the situation in Donbas, but that such a decision would limit democracy and civil liberties, as well as threaten the development of the economy.{{Cite web |date=2015-02-05 |title=Порошенко оголосить воєнний стан у разі ескалації конфлікту |url=https://lb.ua/news/2015/02/05/294580_poroshenko_obyavit_voennoe_polozhenie.html |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=LB.ua}}{{Cite web |title=Порошенко: Якщо конфлікт наростатиме, може бути воєнний стан по всій країні |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2015/02/5/7057583/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Українська правда |language=uk}}

Martial law in Ukraine was introduced for 30 days in late November 2018, after the Kerch Strait incident.{{Cite news |date=2018-12-26 |title=Martial laws comes to an end in Ukraine after 30 days |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46684602 |access-date=2025-05-17 |language=en-GB}}

In April 2015, Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash at a court session about his extradition to the United States stated that at the Ukrainian presidential election he financially supported Poroshenko,{{Cite web |title=Фирташ: Мы получили Порошенко президентом, Кличко - мэром, как и хотели |url=https://zn.ua/POLITICS/firtash-my-poluchili-poroshenko-prezidentom-klichko-merom-kak-i-hoteli-174844_.html |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Mirror Weekly |language=ru}} and Vitali Klitchko in the Kyiv city mayoral election.

{{main|Mikheil Saakashvili#Stripping of Ukrainian citizenship}}

File:Impeachment March (Kiev; 2017-12-03) 03.jpg-led protesters demand Poroshenko's impeachment, Kyiv, 3 December 2017.]]

On 29 May 2015, Poroshenko invited former president of Georgia and his friend Mikheil Saakashvili to help with conducting reforms in Ukraine and granted him Ukrainian citizenship.{{Cite web |date=2015-06-02 |title=УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ № 301/2015 - Офiцiйне представництво Президента України |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602040433/http://www.president.gov.ua/documents/19531.html |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=web.archive.org}} The very next day after he became a citizen, on 30 May 2015, Saakashvili was appointed by the president as head (governor) of the Odesa Regional State Administration (see Governor of Odesa Oblast).Poroshenko, P. About appointment of M.Saakashvili as a head of Odesa Oblast State Administration. Presidential ukase No. 304/2015. 30 May 2015

On 26 July 2017 Poroshenko issued a decree{{efn|The decree was not made publicly available "in accordance with the legislation on personal data protection".[https://www.unian.info/politics/2051641-decree-on-stripping-saakashvili-of-ukraine-citizenship-not-to-be-published-bankova.html Decree on stripping Saakashvili of Ukraine citizenship not to be published – Bankova], UNIAN: (27 July 2017)}} stripping Saakashvili of his Ukrainian citizenship, without providing any reason. According to The Economist, most observers saw Poroshenko's stripping Saakashvili of his citizenship "simply as the sidelining of a political rival" (Saakashvili started a political party Movement of New Forces to participate in upcoming elections).{{cite news|title=Ukraine strips one of its president's rivals of his citizenship|url=https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21725681-mikheil-saakashvili-former-georgian-president-had-become-threat-power-petro|access-date=29 July 2017|newspaper=The Economist|date=28 July 2017|archive-date=29 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729002441/https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21725681-mikheil-saakashvili-former-georgian-president-had-become-threat-power-petro|url-status=live}}

In January 2018, journalists from Radio Free Europe reported that for Poroshenko's New Year's vacation starting 1 January 2018 in the Maldives, ten people who spent $500,000 to rent separate islands and the most expensive hotel in the country.{{cite news|url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-schemes/28983638.html|title=Mr. Petro Incognito. Таємна відпустка президента Порошенка (розслідування)|website=Радіо Свобода|date=19 January 2018 |language=uk|access-date=6 April 2018|last1=Свобода |first1=Радіо }}{{Cite news|url=http://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/general/477347.html|script-title=uk:Порошенко на новорічні свята був у Києві, Івано-Франківську та на Мальдівах|access-date=6 April 2018|language=uk}} On 30 March 2018, Poroshenko submitted his income declaration. Poroshenko declared that he spent between 1.3 and 1.4 million UAH on this vacation—half what journalists had reported (some details about the president's vacation were classified).{{cite web|url=https://public.nazk.gov.ua/declaration/c9e4d7dd-d6b7-44b8-9e26-12e756d36e04|script-title=uk:ЄДИНИЙ ДЕРЖАВНИЙ РЕЄСТР ДЕКЛАРАЦІЙ |script-website=uk:Національне агентство з питань запобігання корупції |language=uk |access-date=6 April 2018}}

• {{flag|Ukraine}}: Order of Merit
• {{flag|Moldova}}: Order of the Republic
• {{flag|Poland}}: Order of the White Eagle
• {{flag|Spain}}: Order of Civil Merit
• {{flag|Ukraine}}: Medal of winner of Ukraine State Prize in Science and Technology
• {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}: Order of King Abdulaziz{{Cite web |title=Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and President of Ukraine Attend Signing Ceremony of Draft Cooperation Program and Memoranda of Understanding between the Two Countries The official Saudi Press Agency |url=http://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1683377#1683377 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20211206145443/https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1683377 |archive-date=2021-12-06 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.spa.gov.sa}}
• {{flag|Lithuania}}: Grand Cross of the Order of Vytautas the Great
• {{flagicon image|Flag of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I.svg}} Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople: cross of Panagia Pammakaristos (5 January 2019){{cite web|url=https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/prezident-vruchiv-visoku-derzhavnu-nagorodu-vselenskomu-patr-52370|title=President presented a high state award to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew|date=5 January 2019|website=Official website of the President of Ukraine|language=en|access-date=5 January 2019}}
• Orthodox Church of Ukraine: Order of St. Andrew Pervozvannyi{{cite web|url=https://risu.org.ua/ua/index/all_news/state/church_state_relations/74242/|title=Почесний Патріарх Філарет нагородив Порошенка церковним орденом|date=10 January 2019|website=risu.org.ua|access-date=10 January 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-society/2616822-filaret-vruciv-porosenku-orden-andria-pervozvannogo.html|script-title=uk:Філарет вручив Порошенку орден Андрія Первозванного|date=10 January 2019|website=www.ukrinform.ua|language=uk|access-date=12 January 2019}} (Pervozvannyi meaning 'The First-Called')

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.president.gov.ua/en/ Official website for the President of Ukraine] {{in lang|en}}
• {{cite web |url=http://www.poroshenko.com.ua/ |title=Personal website |access-date=8 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202133109/http://www.poroshenko.com.ua/ |archive-date=2 February 2014 |language=uk|ref=none}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160301000652/http://midwestdiplomacy.com/2014/01/24/frozen-revolution-in-ukraine/ Euromaidan Overview]
• {{C-SPAN|66783}}
• Bohdan, Ben, "[http://euromaidanpress.com/2019/04/19/five-years-of-ukraine-poroshenko-main-achievements-and-failures/ Five years of Poroshenko's presidency: main achievements and failures "], 19 April 2019, Euromaidan Press.

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{{s-ttl|title=President of Ukraine|years=2014–2019}}

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{{Petro Poroshenko}}

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