Kyiv’s Mayor, Vitali Klitschko, unleashed a fiery political statement on June 21, decrying the mounting external pressure on him and the city's administration. He specifically complained about, what he called, disruptive anti-corruption and law enforcement searches impeding the organization’s work.

"Today, a relentless campaign seeks to tarnish the Kyiv authorities and my own reputation. Never-ending searches paralyze city departments and services, wreaking havoc on the capital's management, especially during these trying times," Klitschko asserted in a punchy video statement on Telegram.

"They hinder the smooth operation of critical infrastructure enterprises, slinging accusations at city service leaders and loudly proclaiming their alleged guilt," he added.

"Remarkably, none of the district heads, who bear responsibility for shelter arrangements and fund management, have faced any consequences. Curiously enough, these district heads are part of the central government's hierarchy," Klitschko emphasized.

Advertisement

"Are we truly discussing objectivity and a lack of political motives? Is our victory already sealed? There are no other challenges; the main problem is Klitschko. And there's someone itching to seize control of the capital," the mayor declared.

"But you are holding the residents of Kyiv hostage to your political struggles. You are dismantling both self-governance in the capital and the city's vital support systems, sowing chaos amidst these wartime circumstances," Klitschko declared.

Uklon Pulls Out of Azerbaijan
Other Topics of Interest

Uklon Pulls Out of Azerbaijan

Citing new regulations as the cause, Ukraine’s ridesharing and delivery company halts operations in Azerbaijan, leaving Uzbekistan as its only external market.

"Nonetheless, I am confident that Kyiv will weather this storm," he concluded.

On June 21, the Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, Oleksiy Danilov, revealed that the upcoming council meeting on June 23 will primarily address the issue of bomb shelters in Ukraine, potentially resulting in what he termed as personnel decisions [implying sackings – ed].

On June 1, a Russian missile attack in Kyiv claimed the lives of two women and a child who were unable to access a locked shelter.

Advertisement

Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko spoke of the "collective responsibility" for this tragedy, admonishing the president's office.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded, hinting at Klitschko's boxing background, stating, "We don't just have enemies in Russia, it seems we have internal ones as well... Let's put it this way: a knockout might be in order.

Meanwhile, rumors circulate that a decision regarding the appointment of a new head for the Kyiv Regional Military Administration may be made during this Friday's National Security Council meeting. Ukrainian media outlets speculate that Vitaly Kim, the current head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, could be the chosen candidate.

 

However, sources within the circles of the president and the mayor of Kyiv, as reported by the Kyiv Post, do not confirm these rumors. Nevertheless, Klitschko's team is preparing for potential developments on Friday, prompting the mayor to record a video address concerning the pressure from the central government. "Preemptively," a Kyiv Post source commented on the situation.

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here
You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Comments (2)

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
dfarning
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

That is pretty funny. A corrupt politician complaining that anti-corruption policies are disrupting his activities :)

Natasha
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

@dfarning, A corrupt politician? There are a lot of corrupt politicians in Ukraine (not surprising given that it’s still shaking off the Soviet era, but it’s determined to forge ahead into a better democracy) - but Klitschko isn’t one of them. Rather, that’s why other politicians don’t like the way he is trying to change things!

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Joseph Swanson
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

"They hinder the smooth operation of critical infrastructure enterprises, slinging accusations at city service leaders and loudly proclaiming their alleged guilt,"
AND
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko spoke of the "collective responsibility" for this tragedy, admonishing the president's office.
Vitaliy...if the operation was as "smooth" as you describe, then why did people die?
Who is the mayor of Kyiv? You.
Take yourself to the bathroom, look in the mirror...there you will find the person that is to blame.
We do not need or want this silliness from you or anyone like you. We are in a war and you act like a child refusing accountability. Do us a favor and step down as "mayor" and show us all what a great fighter you are by joining a military unit and fighting russians.
#PunchDrunkKlitschko

Natasha
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

@Joseph Swanson, ‘you act like a child refusing accountability’ - not quite. More like other prominent politicians trying to play games. The below are facts, as previously reported in the paper -
“The heads of the RDA are appointed not by the mayor, but by the president on the proposal of the Cabinet of Ministers”
“the head of the Desnyansky RDA, where the tragedy occurred, is a representative of Zelensky’s Servant of the People party”

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png