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| Ukraine politicians' huge cash piles exposed in reform drive | Ukraine politicians' huge cash piles exposed in reform drive |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Ukraine's Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has revealed that he and his wife possess $1.8m (£1.5m) in cash. | |
| He was appointed in April to lead the country's government. He also has $100,000 (£82,000) in several different bank accounts, 15 properties and a collection of 12 luxury watches. | He was appointed in April to lead the country's government. He also has $100,000 (£82,000) in several different bank accounts, 15 properties and a collection of 12 luxury watches. |
| Mr Groysman published a list of his assets in line with Ukraine's new anti-corruption rules, which compel all senior public officials to declare their wealth in a new electronic database. | Mr Groysman published a list of his assets in line with Ukraine's new anti-corruption rules, which compel all senior public officials to declare their wealth in a new electronic database. |
| He has been a public official in Ukraine for the past 14 years. | He has been a public official in Ukraine for the past 14 years. |
| The reforms are seen as necessary for Kiev to continue enjoying the support of its Western partners. | The reforms are seen as necessary for Kiev to continue enjoying the support of its Western partners. |
| Around 50,000 top public officials, including judges, politicians and civil servants, are expected to publish their declarations by Sunday. | Around 50,000 top public officials, including judges, politicians and civil servants, are expected to publish their declarations by Sunday. |
| In a statement published on his Facebook page, Mr Groysman said his "considerable savings" were down to "property and my corporate rights…along with income from my wife's business." | In a statement published on his Facebook page, Mr Groysman said his "considerable savings" were down to "property and my corporate rights…along with income from my wife's business." |
| He is not the only Ukrainian politician to possess an eye-watering amount of cash. | He is not the only Ukrainian politician to possess an eye-watering amount of cash. |
| Another member of parliament, Viktor Romanyuk, has declared that he has $753,000 (£618,000). | Another member of parliament, Viktor Romanyuk, has declared that he has $753,000 (£618,000). |
| And the controversial mayor of Ukraine's second biggest city Kharkiv, Gennadiy Kernes, has declared that he has more than $1.6m (£1.3m) in hard currency. | And the controversial mayor of Ukraine's second biggest city Kharkiv, Gennadiy Kernes, has declared that he has more than $1.6m (£1.3m) in hard currency. |
| He supported the pro-Russian separatist forces in eastern Ukraine in 2014, but later switched to backing the Ukrainian government. | He supported the pro-Russian separatist forces in eastern Ukraine in 2014, but later switched to backing the Ukrainian government. |
| The revelations will do little for public trust in politicians in a country where the minimum monthly wage is a meagre $56.69 (£46.61). | The revelations will do little for public trust in politicians in a country where the minimum monthly wage is a meagre $56.69 (£46.61). |
| Some 51% of people said they "strongly disapproved" of the current government in a survey of 2,400 Ukrainians, to be published by the International Republican Institute next week. | Some 51% of people said they "strongly disapproved" of the current government in a survey of 2,400 Ukrainians, to be published by the International Republican Institute next week. |
| Ukraine country profile | Ukraine country profile |
| Ukraine president denies tax claims | Ukraine president denies tax claims |
| Banks under scrutiny | Banks under scrutiny |
| The habit of some senior politicians to hoard cash is hardly a vote of confidence in the country's banks, which themselves have been undergoing extensive reforms. | The habit of some senior politicians to hoard cash is hardly a vote of confidence in the country's banks, which themselves have been undergoing extensive reforms. |
| "A person who has cash doesn't trust the financial system," said Alexander Valchyshen, from Kiev-based asset management group ICU. | "A person who has cash doesn't trust the financial system," said Alexander Valchyshen, from Kiev-based asset management group ICU. |
| "True accounting", he said, was needed to create a stable economy and to stop "financial cheating" and increase confidence in the banks. | "True accounting", he said, was needed to create a stable economy and to stop "financial cheating" and increase confidence in the banks. |
| However, overall Ukraine's e-declaration scheme is seen as a crucial step in tackling corruption, which is a key concern for foreign investors. | However, overall Ukraine's e-declaration scheme is seen as a crucial step in tackling corruption, which is a key concern for foreign investors. |
| Oleksandra Ustinova from Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Action Centre described the new scheme as "revolutionary". | Oleksandra Ustinova from Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Action Centre described the new scheme as "revolutionary". |
| She hopes the system, which will automatically flag up suspect declarations for the new anti-corruption bureau to investigate, will lead to prosecutions. | She hopes the system, which will automatically flag up suspect declarations for the new anti-corruption bureau to investigate, will lead to prosecutions. |
| Ms Ustinova said 500 judges had already resigned, instead of completing their declarations. | Ms Ustinova said 500 judges had already resigned, instead of completing their declarations. |
| And she believes a new anti-corruption court is key if Ukraine is to capitalise on the new reforms and start prosecuting corrupt officials. | And she believes a new anti-corruption court is key if Ukraine is to capitalise on the new reforms and start prosecuting corrupt officials. |
| Draft legislation for the creation of such a court is expected to come before Ukraine's parliament in the coming weeks. | Draft legislation for the creation of such a court is expected to come before Ukraine's parliament in the coming weeks. |
| 'Chocolate King' Poroshenko | 'Chocolate King' Poroshenko |
| There is no evidence that any of the politicians mentioned in this article have broken the law. | There is no evidence that any of the politicians mentioned in this article have broken the law. |
| And the online declarations are likely to please Ukraine's backers in Washington and Western Europe. | And the online declarations are likely to please Ukraine's backers in Washington and Western Europe. |
| The UK Ambassador to Kiev, Judith Gough, tweeted that the prime minister's declaration was an "important step". | The UK Ambassador to Kiev, Judith Gough, tweeted that the prime minister's declaration was an "important step". |
| Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko, one of the richest men in the country, is still to complete his declaration. | Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko, one of the richest men in the country, is still to complete his declaration. |
| A spokesman said it would be finished before Sunday's deadline. | A spokesman said it would be finished before Sunday's deadline. |
| Before becoming president Mr Poroshenko amassed considerable wealth running a chocolate business. | Before becoming president Mr Poroshenko amassed considerable wealth running a chocolate business. |