Ukraine’s government is on the brink of collapse after the resignation of a leading reformer split the ruling coalition, and deepened western fears the country is failing to fight rampant corruption or put powerful crooks in jail.
Aivaras Abromavicius stepped down as economy minister in protest at what he called interference in his work from politicians – including a close ally of President Petro Poroshenko – who seek to parlay influence into personal profit. "My team and I have no desire to act as cover for open corruption, or be puppets for those who want to establish control over public money in the old style," said Mr Abromavicius, a former fund manager with a reputation for probity.
"These people have names. And one of these names I am going to mention. It is Igor Kononenko. As a representative of the political force that nominated me a minister, he has done a great deal recently to block the work of my team and me."
Energy and defence
Mr Abromavicius said Mr Kononenko, a business associate and ally of Mr Poroshenko, sought to have his own protégés appointed to key posts in lucrative state companies in defence and energy. “I expected this to come from the old interests,” Mr Abromavicius said, referring to allies of Kremlin-backed ex-president
Viktor Yanukovich
, who fled Ukraine’s revolution two years ago and lives in
Russia
.
“It came as a big surprise when certain new politicians tried to get their hands on state companies,” he added.
Of his resignation, Lithuanian-born Mr Abromavicius said: "I hope this serves as a 'cold shower' for the country's leaders, and that the country can move forward." Mr Kononenko denied any wrongdoing, but the minister's departure prompted a swift response from western capitals that have linked sweeping reform in Ukraine to disbursement of an aid package worth more than €35 billion.
In a joint statement, envoys in Kiev from all G7 states said they were "deeply disappointed" by the departure of a minister who had "delivered real reform results for Ukraine".
“Ukraine’s stable, secure and prosperous future will require the sustained efforts of a broad and inclusive team of dedicated professionals who put the Ukrainian peoples’ interests above their own,” the ambassadors said.
The two smallest parties in the ruling coalition have refused to work with the government of prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. Mr Poroshenko said it was time to "urgently reboot" the government, but Mr Yatsenyuk warned his whole cabinet would resign if a single member was fired.
