Reznikov: President asked me to return to reforms

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov to "return" to reforms that were postponed due to Russia's full-scale invasion.

Reznikov said this in an interview with LIGA.net, which will be published tomorrow, March 6, the publication reports.

"He (Zelensky - ed.) said honestly: "Oleksiy, the tension is understandable, but the reforms we agreed on during our first conversation (when he offered me the position) have not been canceled. You have left clear priorities, but you have put them off too far. Get back to them," Reznikov recounted the main content of the conversation with the President.

The Defense Minister confirmed that he had a conversation with the President after a series of media scandals around the Ministry.

In his opinion, Zelenskyy continues to trust him: "I don't just see it, I feel it."

"I have always been comfortable with the President and I am comfortable with him," Reznikov assures. "We have had an agreement since February 2020, when I received an offer to come to the Ministry of Reintegration, that I am in the team, but it will be so as long as we are both comfortable. Loss of trust is the worst thing that can happen. There is no point in continuing."

Read also: Reznikov reveals the content of his conversation with Zelensky, after which he remained Defense Minister

As reported in the media, on February 5, 2023, the head of the Servant of the People faction, David Arakhamia, confirmed plans to reshuffle the government. According to him, Reznikov was supposed to be appointed Minister of Strategic Industries, and his current position in the Defense Ministry would be taken over by the head of the GUR Budanov. On February 6, Arakhamia said that everyone remained in their positions. At the same time, Reznikov assured that no one had offered him another ministerial position.

After the scandal with food for the Armed Forces, two officials responsible for procurement were fired from the Defense Ministry.

Based on the results of internal audits conducted in 2022, 621 officials of the Defense Ministry and the Armed Forces were brought to justice, Reznikov said.

Two of Reznikov's deputies were fired from the Defense Ministry, and Hero of Ukraine Oleksandr Pavliuk became the first deputy defense minister.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 06/03/2023