Oleksii Reznikov holds onto post of defence minister, for now
Bad performance. Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov fell out of favor due to a communication failure (Photo:Viacheslav Ratynskyi/Reuters)
Oleksii Reznikov's response to the publication of grossly inflated procurement prices for the army nearly cost him his ministerial post, a source from the Office of the President of Ukraine has told NV.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was indignant about the reaction of Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov to the publication with evidence of inflated prices in army procurement, a source from the Office of the President of Ukraine told NV on condition of anonymity:
"At first, Reznikov attacked the journalists, threatening them with investigation and possible prosecution."
The leader of the country didn't like such behaviour, he believes the minister should have admitted his mistakes and tried to get the point of the accusations.
"That's why Zelenskyy ordered the faction to find out if there are the votes to remove Reznikov," the source said.
There was no particular decision when the leader of the ruling faction, Davyd Arakhamia, hastened to make public information that Reznikov might be moved to the Ministry of Strategic Industries and replaced with military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov.
The next day Arakhamia had to edit his post on Facebook as the president didn't rush to dismiss Reznikov.
The president was persuaded by the arguments that the next Ramstein meeting on Ukraine's defense issue was to be held soon, and the current minister of defence has well-established contacts with his counterparts from other countries, on whom Ukraine currently greatly depend.
"The Reznikov question has been put on hold," the source said NV.
Budanov is still a candidate for the post of Defence Minister, but is doing quite well at his current position, the source said.
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