Taras Stetskiv Claims Poroshenko Would Have Fled Abroad During Invasion, Prompting Sharp Backlash from Gumenyuk

Gumenyuk Labels Stetskiv’s Remarks as Delusional Amid Heated Exchange (VIDEO)

According to Radiotrek — Світ: On October 19, 2026, Taras Stetskiv, a former member of parliament and prominent figure of the Orange Revolution, made provocative statements about Petro Poroshenko. Stetskiv accused Poroshenko of leaving Volodymyr Zelensky 'with an unfinished war and the Minsk agreements.' He further suggested that if Russia had launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, Poroshenko would have "fled abroad."

These comments sparked a fierce response from journalist Anatoliy Gumenyuk, who dismissed Stetskiv’s claims as either "senile nonsense or a green mold infecting the brain." In an interview with Nataliya Moseychuk, Stetskiv argued that Poroshenko had calculated that Zelensky, "an actor with no experience in governance," would fail to manage the crisis.

"The path is clear – first Kyiv, then Vinnytsia, then Western Ukraine, and finally exile," Stetskiv added, emphasizing that Poroshenko, who served as president for five years, would have likely followed this route.

Stetskiv contrasted this with Zelensky’s decision to stay and fight, highlighting, "Zelensky chose to stand his ground, while Poroshenko did not make that choice. That is the key difference!" This stirred a wave of social media responses from users such as Yulia Movchan, Vasyl Lyzanchuk, and Yevhenii Starosolskyi, who defended Poroshenko and criticized Stetskiv’s assertions.

Adding to the discourse, American historian Timothy Snyder praised Zelensky’s leadership during the early days of the war, stating:

"The situation in the initial days of the war was saved by Zelensky’s courage in listening to his people."- Timothy Snyder

Such perspectives underline the crucial role of decisive leadership in moments of national crisis, especially for Ukraine amid ongoing conflict.

The controversy surrounding these remarks continues to fuel intense debate, reflecting deep divisions over leadership and accountability during wartime. The differing opinions among political figures and the public highlight the complex political landscape in Ukraine. In times of war, these discussions significantly shape public sentiment and influence the country’s political climate.

The ongoing debate about leadership during the war continues to evolve, especially in light of recent statements. In a related context, Zelensky's commitment to targeting Russian oil infrastructure underscores the importance of decisive action in times of crisis, further highlighting the stark differences in leadership styles between him and his predecessors.