Tense political showdown in Ukraine ends in governor’s resignation

Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko has signed off on the resignation request submitted by Igor Kolomoisky, the wealthy governor of Dnepropetrovsk region in eastern Ukraine. The official website of the Ukrainian president states the Kolomoisky asked to resign. Valentin Reznichenko, currently the governor of Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporozhye region, has been appointed interim governor.

The president has stated that the Dnepropetrovsk area must remain an important protective boundary in the east of the Ukraine. “We must secure peace, stability and order. The Dnepropetrovsk area must remain a bastion of Ukraine in the east, and protect the peace and comfort of the population,” said Petro Poroshenko.

Igor Kolomoisky is one of Ukraine’s wealthiest businessmen. He has served as the governor of Dnepropetrovsk region since 2014. The region is a center of heavy industry in Ukraine.

In late March, Kolomoisky reported of an attempted occupation of major Ukrainian oil firm offices in Kiev. Following the reports, the building of the firm Ukrnafta was briefly seized by armed people wearing unidentified uniforms. Kolomoisky claimed this was a necessary security measure. Kolomoisky owns 42 percent of Ukrnafta stocks, while the Ukrainian government owns about 50 percent.