Ex-Ukraine President Holds AK-47 as He Vows to Fight on Streets of Kyiv
Former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko brandished an AK-47 on camera and suggested he would be fighting in the streets of Kyiv against Russian soldiers, during an interview.
Speaking to CNN, Poroshenko blasted Russian President Vladimir Putin and insisted the leader was "mad" and "evil."
“How long do you think you can hold out?”
— CNN (@CNN) February 25, 2022
“Forever.”
Former Ukrainian President @poroshenko takes up a Kalashnikov rifle alongside civilian defense forces as he speaks to @JohnBerman from the streets of Kyiv. pic.twitter.com/jxGl6BKgZR
Poroshenko highlighted the weaponry he and his group had as they prepared for Russian soldiers to enter the country's capital.
The former president insisted that Vladimir Putin would be dealt with like a man who has "lost reason."
"[Vladimir Putin] is just simply mad, he is just simply crazy, he's just simply evil, to come here to kill Ukrainians," he said.
JUST NOW: "We shall deal with Putin like a man who haslost reason. He's just simply mad. He's just simply crazy. He's just simply evil to come here to kill Ukrainians."
— John Berman (@JohnBerman) February 25, 2022
former Ukrainian President @Poroshenko with a AK-47 on the streets of Kiev.pic.twitter.com/tZUONJ8bSW
During the interview Poroshenko reflected on the number of deaths both sides suffered after a day of fighting. He also claimed that Russia's military actions would not prevent Ukraine from fulfilling its international political goals.
"We have lost about 130 Ukrainian soldiers and about 800 Russian soldiers were killed just yesterday under the report of the Ukrainian minister of defense.
"I just want to declare Putin will not stop Ukraine in our movement to the European Union. That is exactly why we shall secure Ukraine today, to support Ukraine we will stand tomorrow."
Poroshenko was also asked how long he believed the Ukrainian people could hold out against the Russian military invasion.
"Forever, I think Putin will never catch Ukraine, no matter how many soldiers, missiles or nuclear weapons he has," Poroshenko replied when asked how long the country could withstand the invasion. "We Ukrainians are free people with a great European future."
In recent months, Poroshenko has had to appear in court and face charges of treason which, he claims, are politically motivated.
In January 2022, Poroshenko flew home from Warsaw to Kyiv in order to clear his name, according to a Guardian report.
The charges against Poroshenko claim that he was involved in the sale of large amounts of coal that helped finance Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine in 2014-15.
Poroshenko is considered one of the wealthiest businesspeople in Ukraine and is the owner of the Roshen confectionery empire.
As part of the investigation, his assets have been frozen. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Poroshenko has denied the allegations and accused the prosecution of attempting to divide the country, saying they were behaving "shamefully."
Update 2/25/22, 9:35 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to include quotes from former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and background information.
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