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Mykola Azarov

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich accepted the resignation of PM Nikolay Azarov and his cabinet on 28 January 2014, though the cabinet will continue to work until a new government is formed. The prime minister submitted his resignation, explaining that his move was motivated by efforts to peacefully resolve the current crisis in the country. Azarov, one of the longest-serving politicians in Ukraine, said "During the standoff, the government has done everything for a peaceful solution of the conflict.... We’ve been doing everything not to let bloodshed occur, to prevent the violence escalating, not to have human rights infringed upon."

On December 13, 2012 the Verkhovna Rada approved appointment of Mykola Azarov for the Prime Minister's post. This decision received votes of 252 Members of Parliament, while 226 votes is enough for approval. The Party of Regions faction gave Azarov 208 votes, the Communist Party of Ukraine 32 votes, non-faction deputies 12 votes, while the opposition voted against appointment of Azarov the PM. Azarov was acting premier since December 3. On December 9, President Viktor Yanukovych solicited the parliament's approval for Azarov's appointment as the Prime Minister. Azarov became the only prime minister in Ukraine's history with 998-day experience of continuous control of the top body of executive power in the country.

Mykola Azarov was born on December 17, 1947, Kaluga, Russia. This city is known not only for its great native Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, but also other historical figures. Four hundred years ago it was where the life a famous adventurer and a failed king - False Dmitry II, also known as the "Kaluga thief" - tragically ended. He graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State University 1971, specialization – geologist-geophysicist, obtained qualification of Seismic Interpreter Geologist. Mykola Azarov obtained a degree of Doctor of Science, Geology and Mineralogy (1986), he is Professor (1991), Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (1997), Honored Professor of the Moscow State University (2009).

Azarov worked at coal enterprises in the Moscow region 1971-1984. From 1984-1995 he served as Deputy Director, Director of Ukrainian State Scientific Research and Project-Designing Institute of Mining Technology, Geomechanics and Mine Surveying of the Ministry of Coal Industry of Ukraine.

Member of Parliament of Ukraine (the second convocation 1994-1998), Head of the Budget Committee, Member of the Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. There Nikolai Azarov first came into contact with the people's money in large quantities. Apparently he touched it so successfully that within two years, in 1992 [his official biography says 1996], on the recommendation of the Kuchma administration, Azarov became head of the most corrupt organization in the country - the State Tax Administration. It is said that the "deep drilling" skills of the chief publican came in handy, as he started to harass Ukrainian business. They say that if before his arrival tax bribery and theft was of an unorganized nature, with his arrival money flowed very quickly into some hands. Azarov squeezed the juice from business.

From 1996 to 2002 Azarov was heading the State Tax Administration, and was a Member of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. From 1995-1999 he was a Member of the Currency and Credit Regulation Council of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Member of the Supreme Economy Council of the President of Ukraine, Member of the Coordination Committee on Corruption and Organized Crime Fight under the President of Ukraine, Member of the Coordination Council on Financial Policy, Member of the National Council for interaction of government authorities and local government authorities, etc.

From November 2002 to February 2005 and also from August 2006 to December 2007 he was First Vice Prime Minister, Finance Minister in the Viktor Yanukovych-led government. In 1997, he was awarded the title Honored Economist of Ukraine. Civil servant of the 1st rank, chief advisor and honored worker of the tax service. Author of over 112 scientific papers, co-author of two books.

By 2009 the Party of Regions -- Ukraine's main opposition party -- was internally divided among competing political and business groups controlled by former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, former Finance Minister Azarov and oligarchs Rinat Akhmetov, Dmytro Firtash, and Andriy Kluyev. Regions was divided by those members who would like to further integrate into European institutions (like Akhmetov) and members who would like closer integration with Russia (like Azarov). The two smaller independent groups in Regions, led by former First Deputy Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and oligarch Andriy Kluyev, were often subordinated under the Yanukovych and Akhmetov groups because their interests generally align. Azarov and Kluyev each controlled about six deputies in the Rada.

Although Azarov in the past had openly said he hoped to be the next Prime Minister, after Yanukovich was elected in February 2010 his chances appeared to be dropping. Azarov was critical of Prime Minister Tymoshenko's management of the economy and said Yanukovych and his team were taking over at one of the most difficult times in the economic history of Ukraine. The government is broke; economic decline continues; lack of reform in the agricultural sector has left farmers to face higher prices for inputs without access to credit; and gas payments to Russia would continue to be a drain on the economy. Azarov accused Ukraine’s previous government of bankrupting the country by signing a 10-year contract to buy Russian gas at ruinously high prices. Azarov noted that value-added tax (VAT) refund claims in 2009 had more than doubled over claims in 2008 and accused the Tymoshenko government of corruption in the system.

From March 2010 to December 2012 was the Prime Minister of Ukraine. On 11 Marrch 2010 the parliament appointed Parliamentary Deputy Mykola Azarov of the Party of the Regions faction as the new Prime Minister of Ukraine. Azarov was appointd by 242 votes, a comfortable margin over the minimum required 226 votes. On 03 December 2012, President Viktor Yanukovych accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, who resigned because he wanted to take his parliamentary seat rather than stay on as prime minister.

Azarov made the decision to resign after spending two-and-a-half years trying to revive the debt-ridden economy. Despite these efforts, the economy shrank in part because demand declined for Ukraine's main export products, such as steel. The national currency, the hryvna, has also weakened. Under Ukrainian law, if the prime minister steps down, the entire Cabinet must do so along with the government chief. Ukraine's newly elected parliament approved the president's re-nomination of Mykola Azarov as prime minister and selected a new speaker, despite violent brawls between ruling party and opposition supporters. Azarov was voted in for a second term 13 December 2012 by 252 deputies in the 450-seat chamber.

Azarov’s Cabinet survived a vote of no confidence 0n 03 December 2013. The no-confidence motion was submitted by three opposition parties – Homeland (Batkivshchina), Strike (Udar), and Liberty (Svoboda). The text of the document accused the Cabinet of the “betrayal of the Ukrainian people” through the government’s suspension of talks on EU integration.

Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said during a Cabinet meeting 04 December 2013 that the government was demonstrating tolerance and warning that lawbreakers will be punished. At a meeting with representatives from the Council of Europe, Azarov accused the opposition of trying to provoke violence. "The picture of all of the events that have happened is quite clear now," he said. "We face very clear provocations. There were no students on the square. They were well-prepared provocateurs."

Azarov has said Ukraine wants to further integrate with the EU, but cannot afford trade losses with Russia, which is Ukraine's largest foreign investor and trading partner and opposes closer Ukraine-EU relations.

He is Chevalier of Order of Ukraine "For Service" of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree, "Order of Yaroslav the Wise" of the 5th degree, Order of Friendship of Russian Federation, Ukrainian National Prize Laureate, Honored Worker of the Tax Administration of Ukraine, Honored Economist of Ukraine. He is married to Liudmyla Azarova. Brought up son Oleksii, who was elected to the Verkhovna Rada of the seventh convocation. Takes an interest in pictorial art and reading books.