Dismissal of Kolomoiskyi From Governor Post Internal Ukraine Matter - Psaki

© Flickr / U.S. Department of StateUS Department of State Spokesperson Jen Psaki
US Department of State Spokesperson Jen Psaki - Sputnik International
Subscribe
US Department of State spokesperson Jen Psaki said that the US considered the dismissal of Ukrainian oligarch Kolomoiskyi from the post of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Governor was an internal matter for Ukraine.

Igor Kolomoisky, billionaire and governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, speaks during an interview in Dnipropetrovsk May 24, 2014 file photo - Sputnik International
Oligarch Kolomoiskyi Dismissed as Dnipropetrovsk Governor - Poroshenko
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The dismissal of Ihor Kolomoiskyi from the post of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Governor is a Ukraine internal issue, US Department of State spokesperson Jen Psaki told journalists.

“Our view is this is an internal matter for Ukraine. Governors in Ukraine are appointed by the president,” Psaki said on Wednesday. “Removing a governor from power is well within the authority of President Poroshenko, and obviously, as we’ve seen from reporting, that’s the case here.”

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree on Kolomoiskyi ‘s dismissal from the post of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Governor on Tuesday during a meeting with the Ukrainian oligarch.

Igor Kolomoisky, billionaire and governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, speaks during an interview in Dnipropetrovsk May 24, 2014 file photo - Sputnik International
Poroshenko Reproaches Ukrainian Oligarch Ihor Kolomoiskyi
Kolomoiskyi went to the office of the state-owned oil company UkrTransNafta last week with a group of armed men in an attempt to forcefully reappoint the firm's dismissed manager, Oleksandr Lazorko. Following the incident, Poroshenko issued a decree reproaching Kolomoiskyi "for violating the rules of professional ethics."

Kolomoiskyi's appearance at the UkrTransNafta office came after the decision of the Ukrainian parliament to amend legislation on joint stock companies, reducing the oligarch's share in the enterprise and depriving him of crucial influence in the voting process.

Psaki noted that Washington is aware of a dispute involving new laws, and supports Ukraine’s steps to bring further reform and transparency to businesses.

Azov battalion fighters in Kiev - Sputnik International
No Ukrainian Governor Will Be Allowed to Have 'Pocket' Army - Poroshenko
“We support the government’s continuing efforts to ensure that the rule of law is applied in all sectors, including the operation of partly or fully state-owned companies,” she said.

Psaki also noted the efforts to put reforms in place aim to can crack down on issues like corruption and ensure greater transparency.

According to Poroshenko, Zaporizhia Regional State Administration head Valentin Reznichenko will now be appointed as acting Dnipropetrovsk Regional Governor.

Kolomoiskyi has reportedly accumulated an estimated wealth of around $6 billion. He is believed to sponsor a number of Ukrainian armed groups, including volunteer battalions that have committed human rights violations in the southeast of the country, where they have been fighting against independence supporters alongside the Kiev government forces.

Kolomoiskyi was appointed to the position Dnipropetrovsk Regional Governor after the 2014 coup in Ukraine by the then acting President Oleksandr Turchynov.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала