Political analysts have predicted that First Deputy Prosecutor General Renat Kuzmin, First Deputy Chief of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Volodymyr Rokytsky, or a person from the entourage of the Ukrainian president - current Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Volodymyr Sivkovych, are among the most likely candidates for the post of SBU chief, according to a poll conducted by Channel 5.
Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko named one more likely candidate for SBU chief – Head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service Hryhoriy Ilyashov.
"At least two options are currently being considered. The first option concerns the first deputy chief of the SBU, and if this option is realized, this will mean that [former SBU Chief Valeriy] Khoroshkovsky will retain control over the SBU even at another post. I think that the second option with the appointment of Renat Kuzmin seems rather risky and a little adventurous, but if the struggle with oligarchs and loud high-profile criminal cases serve as the technology to be used at the elections, this option could also be realized. I would also call one more option. I would also name Ilyashov, who is the current head of the Foreign Intelligence Service and the husband of Olena Lukash," Fesenko said.
President’s press service announced late on Jan. 18 that Khoroshkovsky, who has headed the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) since 2010, has been appointed as finance minister.
Khoroshkovsky replaces Fedir Yaroshenko, who resigned on Jan. 18.
