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Ukraine's Powerful Interior Minister Tenders Resignation

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service July 13, 2021

Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, one of the nation's most powerful officials, has resigned after more than seven years in the job.

Avakov, 57 , submitted his letter of resignation on July 13, according to a post on the Interior Ministry's website. He did not disclose any reason for his sudden decision.

Parliament is expected to accept his resignation on July 15.

Avakov's decision comes amid growing speculation that President Volodymyr Zelenskiy planned to fire him over his lack of loyalty, including his failure to back decisions by the National Security and Defense Council.

Avakov in March said he would be against the council imposing sanctions on Zelenskiy's chief rival, former President Petro Poroshenko, adding he was not "an enemy of Ukraine." Avakov served under Poroshenko.

A former governor and party leader, Avakov is considered to be the second- or third-most powerful person in the country after Zelenskiy and his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak.

His departure potentially strengthens the power concentrated in the presidential office, said former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst.

As interior minister, he controlled most of Ukraine's law enforcement bodies, from the National Police force down to local police departments, as well as the National Guard.

The border guards, coast guard, Emergency Situations Ministry, and Migration Service also fall under the control of the Interior Ministry.

Avakov has been a divisive figure in Ukraine during his tenure, facing calls in recent years to step down, including in 2020.

Critics had long accused Avakov of failing to rein in police abuses, carry out reforms, and promote law and order in the country. He has also been accused of corruption.

Just hours after Avakov's announcement, Zelenskiy named Denys Monastyrskiy, a lawmaker from his Servant of the People party, to replace the outgoing minister.

Monastyrskiy, 40, currently heads the parliament's Law Enforcement Committee.

Analysts said the immediate announcement of a successor supported speculation that Zelenskiy had been planning to oust Avakov.

Monastyrskiy told reporters later in the evening that he expected to be approved by parliament during a vote on July 16.

With reporting by The Kyiv Post and Ukrainskaya Pravda

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-avakov -minister-resigns/31356810.html

Copyright (c) 2021. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.