The Mayor of a Ukrainian city has warned President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of a military coup while lashing out at him for persecuting opposition figures. Vladimir Borisenko, mayor of Boryspil, was condemning the president for imposing sanctions over chocolate baron and former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, a political opponent and longtime nemesis of Zelenskyy, and exiled opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk.
Borisenko, a member of the European Solidarity party led by Poroshenko, took to Telegram to warn "the sick regime in Kyiv" to come to their sense before it was too late. "As a serviceman, as the mayor of Borispol, and as a conscious citizen, I do not understand what is happening in the country," said Borisenk. He added that at a time when the situation at the front was getting difficult and when unity was needed the authorities were focusing on persecuting the opposition.
"Perhaps the government is sick. The solution is a complete purge. And if this is carried out by servicemen, believe me, you will not like it," Borisenko warned.
🇺🇦 Mayor of Borispol threatens Kiev with military coup.‼️
— Peacemaker (@peacemaket71) February 16, 2025
Mayor of Borispol (near Kiev) Vladimir Borisenko said that soldiers could "cleanse" the Ukrainian government if the situation in the country does not change.
"The government is sick. The only solution to this problem is… pic.twitter.com/fysMDN83qW
His threat comes as divisions flared in Kyiv following the sanction of Poroshenko, citing high treason and assisting a terrorist organisation. "The billions that were earned by actually selling Ukraine and Ukrainian interests, Ukrainian security, must be blocked and used to protect Ukraine and Ukrainians. This will be mandatory," Zelenskyy added.
Critics of Zelenskyy called this a politically motivated witch hunt. Poroshenko served as Ukraine’s president from 2014 until 2019 before Zelenskyy defeated him, sparking a long-term feud between the two men.
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In an interview, Zelenskyy said he was ready to speak about elections. "But, Ukrainians totally do not want to, because they are afraid that otherwise we will lose the martial law, our soldiers will come home, and Putin will occupy all our territory. It will happen. Because now, we're mobilised. Now we're one organism, and so, we're one country," he said.
