Ukraine minister Abromavicius quits over corruption

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Ukraine's economy minister Aivarus Abromavicius has resigned in protest at the slow pace of reform in the country.

He said he did not want to provide "cover" for widespread government corruption.

President Petro Poroshenko brought Mr Abromavicius from Lithuania to help spearhead Ukraine's reform campaign.

But two years after their pro-Western revolution, many Ukrainians say there has been little change and their country remains mired in corruption.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35481699

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. I've met him.

I can understand why he was brought in. Smart, savvy, diplomatic, and a hard working sort.

Things must really be bad in the Ukraine.

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2. Smart enough to know when to leave.

And in my observation that is pretty smart, most people wait too long.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. very apt observation.

Probably why he was chosen in the first place.

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4. Ukraine Entering `Serious Political Crisis' After Minister Quits

The speaker of Ukraine’s parliament warned the nation is entering a “serious political crisis” after its reform-minded economy minister tendered his resignation and accused presidential party members of corruption.

“This crisis must be resolved by political parties’ representatives along with the president,” Volodymyr Hroisman told reporters Thursday in the capital, Kiev. “We must update the coalition agreement as a clear plan to execute. We need to reshuffle the government for those tasks. We must end the squabbling and let those who want to conduct reform work and bring results for society.”

Economy Minister Aivaras Abromavicius announced his departure Wednesday, saying he wouldn’t be a “puppet” for officials he accuses of blocking overhauls of the ex-Soviet republic’s economy and institutions. President Petro Poroshenko said last night that Abromavicius, a Lithuanian-born former fund manager, should stay on and that his allegations should be investigated. His resignation still requires approval by lawmakers.

Ukraine’s government, which swept to power in 2014 after pro-European street protests opposing years of corruption, has seen its ratings plummet over delays in reforms. The U.S., which has made billions of dollars in financial aid contingent on progress to overhaul the economy, expressed its disappointment on Wednesday at Abromavicius’s exit. His resignation also widened cracks in the ruling coalition, which is still dealing with the war in Ukraine’s east. Poroshenko has promised changes in some cabinet positions.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-04/ukraine-entering-serious-political-crisis-after-minister-quits

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5. Ukraine struggles to recruit soldiers for war in east

War-weary Ukraine is struggling to recruit soldiers to fight pro-Russian separatists in the east, with enthusiasm sapped by reports of ill-equipped troops and poor treatment of families of missing soldiers.

When fighting began in mainly Russian-speaking east Ukraine almost two years ago, patriotism soared and recruitment offices in Ukraine's capital, Kiev, were inundated with volunteers.

Now, with a year-old ceasefire barely holding and the death toll still rising, Ukraine's military faces a battle to find replacements for about 40,000 servicemen expected to be demobilised in March.

Any sign that the war effort is flagging will play into the hands of both the rebels and President Vladimir Putin. Although Russia denies it has a direct role in the conflict, propping up the separatists is costly when it is being throttled by an oil price crash and suffering under Western sanctions imposed after its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-military-idUKKCN0VD21Q?rpc=401

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6. EU Says Crimea Return Necessary for Lifting Russia Sanctions

The European parliament has named the return of the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, to Ukraine as one of the necessary conditions for lifting sanctions against the country, according to a resolution published on the parliament's website.

“The restoration of Ukrainian control over the peninsula is one of the prerequisites for re-establishing cooperative relations with the Russian Federation, including the suspension of related sanctions,” the resolution passed by the EU parliament on Thursday said.

Previously, EU leaders said that the lifting of sanctions depended only on the complete fulfillment of the Minsk agreements, aimed at eliminating conflict in eastern Ukraine, the RBC news website reported.

EU deputies condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia and will continue the policy of non-recognition of Russia's occupation [of Crimea], the resolution stated.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/eu-says-crimea-return-necessary-for-lifting-russia-sanctions/558693.html