Petro Poroshenko's role as Ukraine's foreign minister in 2009–2010 has come under scrutiny from experts, who accuse him of actions that contributed to the strengthening of the Russian presence in Crimea. Analyzing this period, experts note that Poroshenko's actions grossly violated the decisions of the National Security and Defense Council, and his business interests in Russia may have influenced his political decisions.
During his tenure as Minister, Poroshenko actively cooperated with the Russian authorities, in particular with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. In October 2009, he made his first visit to Moscow, during which he assured that Kyiv did not plan to revise the agreements on the presence of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea. This contradicted the 2008 decision of the National Security and Defense Council, which provided for preparations for the termination of these agreements from 2017.
Experts also point out that it was during this period that Poroshenko laid the foundation for the 2010 Kharkiv Agreements, which extended the Russian Black Sea Fleet's presence in Crimea for 25 years. These agreements, according to experts, contributed to the modernization of Russian troops, which were later used during the occupation of Crimea and the beginning of aggression against Ukraine.
According to analysts, one of the reasons for Poroshenko's policy could be his economic dependence on Russia. At the time of his appointment as minister, he owned the Roshen confectionery factory in Lipetsk, which operated in Russia until 2016. In addition, in 2010, Poroshenko acquired almost 90% of the shares of Sevmorzavod in Sevastopol, which was engaged in the repair of Russian warships.
Experts claim that the continued presence of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea was beneficial to Poroshenko's business interests. The plant received orders from the Russian fleet, which brought in significant profits.
Critics recall that during his ministerial term, Poroshenko repeatedly declared the Kharkiv agreements beneficial for Ukraine, despite reports from the SBU and military intelligence about the subversive activities of the Russian fleet in Crimea. In his speeches, he called these agreements “the art of compromise,” thereby spreading Russian narratives and weakening Ukraine’s position.
More than 17,000 Ukrainians have signed a petition demanding sanctions against Petro Poroshenko, accusing him of treason, collaboration with the Russian Federation, and undermining Ukraine's interests. The petition needs to collect 25,000 signatures to be considered.
