Milovanov Steps Down from Nuclear Power Company's Oversight Board
Timofiy Milovanov has announced his resignation from the supervisory board of Energoatom, Ukraine's state nuclear power company. This decision comes as the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) conduct an investigation. A temporary investigative commission of the Verkhovna Rada had summoned Milovanov for questioning, prompting his departure. He is the President of the Kyiv School of Economics and a former Minister of Economic Development.
Support for Colleague and Call for Internal Reform
Separately, Milovanov voiced support for Ukrposhta CEO Ihor Smilianskyi, who faced public criticism over the state postal service's recent rebranding. Milovanov urged the public to judge Smilianskyi's performance by results rather than his communication style. The presentation of Ukrposhta's new corporate identity and debates over the rebranding costs had sparked significant controversy.
Prior to his resignation, Milovanov convened an extraordinary meeting of Energoatom's supervisory board. There, he proposed the temporary suspension of officials named in the investigation's materials. He also advocated for establishing an independent ethics and compliance committee. This committee would be tasked with reviewing procurement procedures, financial operations, and control systems, involving international experts and conducting a forensic audit.
Responding to comments from Oleksiy Honcharenko, the MP leading the parliamentary commission, Milovanov stated that the focus should be on work outcomes, not communication methods. Honcharenko, in turn, sharply criticized Milovanov, asserting that he has no right to ignore elected officials who represent citizens' interests. This exchange highlights the tense dynamics between political figures and public institutions during high-stakes anti-corruption investigations.
Milovanov's departure from the Energoatom board under the shadow of an anti-corruption probe underscores the critical need for transparency and accountability in state-owned enterprises.
His initiative to create an independent oversight committee reflects an attempt to ensure more transparent governance in state companies. The ongoing friction between politicians and society during such probes remains a pressing issue that requires careful analysis and discussion at the institutional level. This case is a prominent example of the challenges facing Ukraine's post-Maidan reform efforts in its energy sector.