Ukrainian Defense Minister may be voted to leave parliament next week
2 Min Read
Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak states that Reznikov is currently a candidate to become Ukraine's ambassador to the UK, and chairman of State Property Fund, Rustem Umerov, may be nominated to take his place in the ministry.
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Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov speaks during a press conference in Kiev, Ukraine, on February 5, 2023 (AP)
According to the Ukrayinska Pravda website, Ukraine's parliament may vote to have Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov exit as soon as next week, with the website citing unnamed officials in the cabinet and parliament.
When asked by reporters about his potential resignation in light of corruption scandals, Reznikov said that the decision remains in the hands of President Volodymyr Zelensky, adding that he discussed transferring to another position with Zelensky.
Reznikov has denied previous accusations by anti-corruption activists and journalists regarding purchasing food and uniforms at inflated prices.
Legally, although Ukraine’s president nominates ministers, their appointments and releases must be decided by parliament.
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In light of this news, lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said on Telegram that Reznikov is currently a candidate to become Ukraine's ambassador to the UK, and chairman of State Property Fund, Rustem Umerov, may be nominated to take his place in the ministry.
Back in January this year, Zelensky dismissed a group of ministers and administration officials and banned them from leaving the country following corruption scandals that emerged, including senior members of the defense ministry and top figures in Zelensky's team.
The Ukrainian government announced that six ministers and five regional governors were dismissed, including Kyrylo Tymoshenko, a deputy head of Zelensky's office, and Viacheslav Shapovalov, a deputy Defense Minister.
It is worth noting that corruption swept Ukraine long before the beginning of the war. Today, corruption-plagued Kiev especially as hundreds of millions of dollars in weapons and aid stream into the country, and the cost of reconstruction activities is anticipated to be in the billions. Furthermore, many have been warning that foreign weapons being supplied to Ukraine are sold on the black market, most notably in Africa.
