Former Ukrainian President Poroshenko questioned the authority of Ukrainian negotiators in Riyadh, citing a decree by Yushchenko

Former President Petro Poroshenko questioned the legitimacy of the Ukrainian delegation conducting negotiations with U.S. representatives in Saudi Arabia.

He expressed his concerns during a broadcast on the “Espreso” TV channel.

The leader of European Solidarity stated that a decree issued by former President Viktor Yushchenko, which requires the approval of directives before such negotiations, is still in effect.

“The decree states that only three people in the state can speak on behalf of Ukraine, make statements, and conduct negotiations without directives or special instructions: the president, the prime minister within their competence, and the foreign minister. Everyone else requires directives, but we have heard nothing about the approval of such directives, which are official documents, even if they may be classified. This decree is still in force. This means that the delegation that went [to Saudi Arabia]—which does not include the prime minister, the foreign minister, or Zelensky—must have directives, and we should publicly know the scope of these limitations,” Poroshenko said.

Notably, the Ukrainian delegation includes Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa. Previously, negotiations with the Americans were also conducted by the Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.