Perspective – Written by Ruslan Bortnik
The relationship between the current president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and his predecessor, Petro Poroshenko, has never been neutral—or mutually respectful. Despite minimal ideological differences, their relationship is defined by mutual distrust, shaped by past rejections, media influence, and power struggles. The rivalry persisted through legal confrontations, manipulation of the Constitutional Court, and shifting alliances with oligarchic and foreign interests. Although Poroshenko’s public support remains limited, his enduring influence among elites and his alignment with Western circles keep him a persistent political threat. The outcome reflects a broader struggle over Ukraine’s identity, governance, and geopolitical alignment amid ongoing war and internal instability.
Source of cover: The Presidential Administration of Ukraine