Resignation of reformist minister sheds light on rampant Ukraine corruption

Ukraine's Economy Minister, Aivaras Abromavicius, abruptly tendered his resignation on 3 February 2016, saying overwhelming corruption had stifled his efforts to push through measures essential to getting growth back on track in the cash-strapped country.

The resignation was met with disappointment and frustration by international diplomats from the West, who feared both economic and political instability.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Inside Ukraine’s violent, messy battle for power http://www.europeansources.info/record/inside-ukraines-violent-messy-battle-for-power/

ESO: Background information: Ukraine approves 2016 budget, clearing way for delayed IMF loan http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-approves-2016-budget-clearing-way-for-delayed-imf-loan/

ESO: Background information: EU presses Ukraine to deliver on Minsk agreement http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-presses-ukraine-to-deliver-on-minsk-agreement/

BBC News, 03.02.16: Ukraine minister Abromavicius quits over corruption http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35481699

RT, 03.02.16: Ukraine’s economy minister dramatically resigns, citing covert corruption https://www.rt.com/news/331192-ukraine-corruption-minister-resigns/

Washington Post, 03.02.16: In blow to Ukraine’s reform hopes, top official resigns, citing corruption https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/in-blow-to-ukraines-reform-hopes-top-official-resigns-citing-corruption/2016/02/03/abcf4f89-0107-4b5d-bc18-e33194dd7044_story.html

Euronews, 03.02.16: Ukraine’s economy minister resigns saying he has ‘no desire to be a screen for brazen corruption’ http://www.euronews.com/2016/02/03/ukraine-s-economy-minister-resigns-saying-he-has-no-desire-to-be-a-screen-for/

EUObserver, 03.02.16: Ukraine resignation is 'cold shower' for elite https://euobserver.com/foreign/132132

Ukraine Today, 03.02.16: Western ambassadors regret economy minister's resignation http://uatoday.tv/politics/western-ambassadors-regret-economy-minister-s-resignation-584080.html

Deutsche Welle, 03.02.16: Ukraine's economy minister quits over reform obstruction http://dw.com/p/1HpFV

Sputnik International, 03.02.16: Wrench in the Works: Diplomats Bemused by Ukrainian Minister’s Resignation http://sptnkne.ws/a8Kb

Deutsche Welle, 05.02.16: Power struggle in Kyiv puts government in crisis http://dw.com/p/1HqWP

Euro|Topics: Debates, 09.02.16: Ukraine's reform minister throws in the towel http://www.eurotopics.net/en/153498/ukraine-s-reform-minister-throws-in-the-towel

ESO: Background information: The resignation of Ukraine’s Minister of Economy http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-resignation-of-ukraines-minister-of-economy/

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