Mykola Azarov

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Mykola Azarov

| native_name = {{nobold|Микола Азаров}}
{{nobold|Николай Азаров}}

| image = Nikolay Azarov 27 June 2012 04.jpeg

| caption = Azarov in 2012

| office = 14th Prime Minister of Ukraine

| president = Viktor Yanukovych

| deputy = Andriy Klyuyev (2010–12)
Valeriy Khoroshkovskyi (2012)
Serhiy Arbuzov (2012–14)

| term_start = 11 March 2010

| term_end = 28 January 2014

| predecessor = Oleksandr Turchynov (acting)

| successor = Serhiy Arbuzov (acting)

| president1 = Leonid Kuchma

| term_start1 = 5 January 2005

| term_end1 = 24 January 2005
Acting

| predecessor1 = Viktor Yanukovych

| successor1 = Yulia Tymoshenko

| term_start2 = 7 December 2004

| term_end2 = 28 December 2004
Acting

| president2 = Leonid Kuchma

| predecessor2 = Viktor Yanukovych

| successor2 = Viktor Yanukovych

| office3 = Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine

| primeminister3 = Viktor Yanukovych

| term_start3 = 4 August 2006

| term_end3 = 18 December 2007

| predecessor3 = Stanislav Stashevsky

| successor3 = Oleksandr Turchynov

| primeminister4 = Viktor Yanukovych
Yulia Tymoshenko

| term_start4 = 26 November 2002

| term_end4 = 3 February 2005

| predecessor4 = Oleh Dubyna

| successor4 = Anatoliy Kinakh

| office5 = Minister of Finance

| primeminister5 = Viktor Yanukovych

| term_start5 = 4 August 2006

| term_end5 = 18 December 2007

| predecessor5 = Viktor Pynzenyk

| successor5 = Viktor Pynzenyk

| primeminister6 = Viktor Yanukovych
Yulia Tymoshenko

| term_start6 = 26 November 2002

| term_end6 = 3 February 2005

| predecessor6 = Ihor Yushko

| successor6 = Viktor Pynzenyk

| birthname = Nikolai Yanovich Pakhlo

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1947|12|17|df=y}}

| birth_place = Kaluga, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
(now Russia)

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Party of Regions (2001–2014)

| otherparty = Civil Congress of Ukraine (1992)
Party of Labor (1992–2001)

| spouse = Lyudmyla Azarova

| children = Oleksiy

| citizenship = Ukrainian

| alma_mater = Moscow State University

| website =

| signature = Mykola Azarov signature.svg

}}

Mykola Yanovych Azarov ({{langx|uk|Микола Янович Азаров}}; {{Langx|ru|Николай Янович Азаров|translit=Nikolay Yanovich Azarov}}; né Pakhlo, Cyrillic: Пахло; born 17 December 1947) is a Ukrainian politician who was the Prime Minister of Ukraine from 11 March 2010 to 27 January 2014. He was the First Vice Prime Minister and Finance Minister from 2002 to 2005 and again from 2006 to 2007. Azarov also served ex officio as an acting prime minister in the First Yanukovych Government when Viktor Yanukovych ran for president at first and then upon the resignation of his government.

Following the victory of Viktor Yanukovych in the 2010 presidential election, Azarov succeeded Yanukovych as leader of the Party of Regions and was appointed as prime minister in March 2010.{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/ukr/news/news-365756.html|title=Янукович припинив членство у Партії регіонів|trans-title=Yanukovych ceased membership in the Party of Regions|date=3 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306165415/http://www.unian.net/ukr/news/news-365756.html|archive-date=6 March 2010|url-status=live}}{{cite news|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/60929/|title=Yanukovych suspends his membership in Party of Regions, hands over party leadership to Azarov|work=Kyiv Post|date=3 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122154153/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/60929/|archive-date=22 January 2011|url-status=live}} In January 2014, after weeks of Euromaidan protests and the 2014 Hrushevskoho Street riots,{{#tag:ref|The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine claimed on 25 January 2014 that a policemen who was walking home in civilian clothing had been killed by a shot in his head.{{cite news|date=25 January 2014|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/187390.html|title=Policeman shot dead in Kyiv, another policeman sustains knife wound – Ukrainian interior ministry|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|archive-date=2 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202100543/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/187390.html|url-status=live}}|group=nb}} Azarov offered his letter of resignation.{{cite news|title=Ukraine's PM Azarov and government resign|access-date=28 January 2014|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25932352|work=BBC News|date=28 January 2014|archive-date=28 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140128181634/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25932352|url-status=dead}} After the Revolution of Dignity, Azarov fled to Russia and according to Azarov himself, was allegedly offered "political refugee status on the personal instructions of Vladimir Putin".{{Cite web |title=The fates of Ukrainian runaway officials |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3025294-the-fates-of-ukrainian-runaway-officials.html |access-date=25 October 2022 |website=www.ukrinform.net |date=14 May 2020 |language=en}} Since then he has been reportedly living in the vicinity of the Russian village of Petrovo-Dalneye, near Moscow.{{Cite web |title=The fates of Ukrainian runaway officials |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3025294-the-fates-of-ukrainian-runaway-officials.html |access-date=25 October 2022 |website=www.ukrinform.net |date=14 May 2020 |language=en}}

Since July 2014, Azarov has been on the international wanted list for alleged abuse of power. On 19 January 2015 Kyiv District Court of Pechersk Raion issued an arrest warrant as a preventive measure to allow for the extradition of Azarov from the Russian Federation.[https://web.archive.org/web/20150120133801/http://www.gp.gov.ua/ua/news.html?_m=publications&_c=view&_t=rec&id=149409 On petition of the General Prosecutor's Office, for Azarov was issued an arrest warrant as a preventative measure]. General Prosecutor of Ukraine website. 20 January 2015 Azarov is currently the subject of international sanctions from the U.S., European Union, Norway, Canada, and Switzerland due to his role in the Euromaidan. In 2015, he set up the Ukraine Salvation Committee, a government in exile that was widely seen as a pro-Russian puppet.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-08-19/exiled-ukraine-premier-seeks-to-regain-power-though-not-crimea |title=Exiled Ukraine Premier Seeks to Regain Power, Though Not Crimea |first1=Irina |last1=Reznik |first2=Stepan |last2=Kravchenko |date=19 August 2015 |publisher=Bloomberg |accessdate=16 March 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/putins-latest-ukraine-gambit-puppet-government-exile-364473|title=Putin's Latest Ukraine Gambit: A Puppet Government in Exile|website=Newsweek|date=20 August 2015}}

Early life, education and career

Azarov was born in Kaluga on 17 December 1947 in the Russian SFSR, Soviet Union,{{cite news|access-date=29 June 2012|url=http://www.1tv.ru/videoarchive/48590&p=371|title=Познер. Гость в студии – Николай Азаров|publisher=1 канал|archive-date=28 June 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628231337/http://www.1tv.ru/videoarchive/48590%26p%3D371}}
{{cite news|url=http://tsn.ua/ukrayina/azarov-viyavivsya-napolovinu-estoncem.html|script-title=uk:Азаров виявився наполовину естонцем|trans-title=Azarov, as it turns out, is half Estonian|agency=TSN|date=6 October 2010|access-date=23 January 2012|archive-date=19 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019111459/http://tsn.ua/ukrayina/azarov-viyavivsya-napolovinu-estoncem.html|url-status=live|language=uk}} to a half-Russian and half-Estonian father, Jaan Pahlo, and a Russian mother, Yekaterina Pavlovna Kvasnikova, as Nikolay Pakhlo.{{cite news|agency=Gazeta.ua|url=http://gazeta.ua/post/330779|script-title=uk:Микола Азаров став прем'єр-міністром|trans-title=Mykola Azarov became prime minister|date=12 March 2010|access-date=31 August 2010|archive-date=9 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809135451/http://gazeta.ua/post/330779|url-status=live|language=uk}} When he married his wife, Lyudmila Azarova, he took her name. Azarov attended the Moscow State University where he earned his doctorate in geology and mineralogy in 1973. He worked at the Tulaugol coal enterprise until 1976. Azarov moved to Donetsk permanently in 1984 to become deputy director of the Ukrainian State Geological Institute, that he went on to head. In 1984–1995 he was a deputy director and director of Ukraine's State Research and Design Institute of Mining Geology and Geomechanics. In 1991 he was hired as a professor at Donetsk National Technical University.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Political career

=Parliamentary career=

In 1994 Azarov was elected member of the Verkhovna Rada (the Ukrainian parliament) for the first time, representing the Petroskiy electoral district, located in the city of Donetsk.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} In 1995–1997 he served as head of the parliament's Committee on Budgets while also sitting on the Verkhovna Rada's presidium.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} In parliament, he belonged to an inter-regional group of MPs supporting then-President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} In 1995, while carrying on as an MP, Azarov was appointed an adviser to the currency council of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} In 1996 he became Chairman of the State Tax Administration of Ukraine.

=Head of State Tax Administration=

Azarov was a long-term (1996–2002) head of the State Tax Administration.{{cite news|url=http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20100311/158161844.html|title=Biography of new Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov|agency=RIA Novosti|date=11 March 2010|archive-date=1 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201194141/http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20100311/158161844.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=Mykola Azarov: Yanukovych's Right-Hand Man|date=12 March 2010|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/Mykola_Azarov_Yanukovychs_RightHand_Man_/1982331.html|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314215451/http://www.rferl.org/content/Mykola_Azarov_Yanukovychs_RightHand_Man_/1982331.html|archive-date=14 March 2010|url-status=dead}} During this period tax inspections were used to limit the freedom of the press in Ukraine.{{cite web|date=23 February 2000|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/1999/367.htm|title=1999 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Ukraine|publisher=United States Department of State}}{{cite web|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2000/eur/854.htm|title=2000 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Ukraine|date=23 February 2001|publisher=US Department of State|access-date=4 March 2002}}{{cite web|title=2001 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Ukraine|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2001/eur/8361.htm}}{{cite web|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2002/18398.htm|title=2002 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Ukraine|publisher=US Department of State|date=31 March 2003}} On tapes made during the Cassette Scandal Azarov is heard speaking on recordings, secretly recorded in Kuchma's office by Kuchma's bodyguard Mykola Melnychenko, about using his position as the head of the tax authority to pressure officials to ensure Kuchma's reelection in 1999.{{cite book|title =Virtual Politics – Faking Democracy in the Post-Soviet World|author=Andrew Wilson|author-link=Andrew Wilson (historian)|publisher=Yale University Press|year=2005|isbn=0-300-09545-7|page=81}} Critics also stated that the recordings implicated Azarov in other corrupt schemes, including allegedly covering up graft at the state natural gas company Naftogaz, aiding the demise of the Slaviansk Bank (which was connected to Yulia Tymoshenko's natural gas company United Energy Systems of Ukraine) and illegal funding of Kuchma's 1999 election campaign.{{cite book|title=Virtual Politics – Faking Democracy in the Post-Soviet World|author=Andrew Wilson|publisher=Yale University Press|year=2005 |isbn=0-300-09545-7|page=117}} Azarov has vehemently refuted all these allegations. In 2002, he accused Slavyansk Bank president Borys Feldman of being behind the Cassette Scandal recordings.

=First Vice Prime Minister and Finance Minister=

In 2001 he became the head of the Party of Regions but resigned from the post in less than a year.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} In 2003 Azarov was elected chairman of the Party of Regions political council. In 2002, the European Choice parliamentary group nominated him for the prime minister's post.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} Still, he declined, standing aside for Viktor Yanukovych, who assumed both the leadership of the Party of Regions and the Prime Minister's job. Azarov was appointed First Vice Prime Minister and Finance Minister in late November 2002, when the first Yanukovych Government took office.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2504591.stm|title=PM promises Ukraine 'new team'|work=BBC News|date=22 November 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216110910/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2504591.stm|archive-date=16 December 2013|url-status=live}} During the first Yanukovych Government governing the set of economic reforms was implemented including fiscal, tax, pensionary, regulatory reforms. During Azarov's first term as Finance Minister, the annual GDP growth was 9.6% in 2003 and 12.1% in 2004 (cf. 2.7% in 2005) in Ukraine,{{cite journal|url=http://www.gfmag.com/gdp-data-country-reports/154-ukraine-gdp-country-report.html|title=Country Economic Reports & GDP Data Ukraine|journal=Global Finance|access-date=30 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816160313/http://www.gfmag.com/gdp-data-country-reports/154-ukraine-gdp-country-report.html|archive-date=16 August 2010|url-status=live}} with capital investments of 31.3% and 28.0%{{cite web|url=http://www.worldbank.org/html/prddr/trans/July_September_2005/InvestmentClimateinUkraine.doc

|title=Investment climate in Ukraine in the first half of 2005|publisher=World Bank|access-date=30 August 2010}} {{dead link|date=October 2014}} (cf. 1.9% in 2005{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sE67dG7WJWUC&q=%22capital+investment%22+1.9%25+2005+Ukraine&pg=PA98|title=Parliamentary Assembly, Working Papers: Ordinary Session, June 2006|publisher=Council of Europe|date=31 March 2007|page=98|isbn=9789287160270|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201194141/https://books.google.com/books?id=sE67dG7WJWUC&pg=PA98&dq=%22capital+investment%22+1.9%25+2005+Ukraine&hl=nl&ei=ji58TPuzMo7x4gaYibyDBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22capital%20investment%22%201.9%25%202005%20Ukraine&f=false|archive-date=1 December 2008|url-status=dead}}).{{cite web|url=http://www.bank.gov.ua/Engl/Macro/#2001-2008|title=Main social and economic indicators of Ukraine 2001–2008|publisher=National Bank of Ukraine|access-date=30 August 2010|archive-date=25 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825201211/http://www.bank.gov.ua/Engl/Macro/#2001-2008|url-status=dead}}

Azarov first served as acting prime minister from 7 December 2004 to 28 December 2004, after Yanukovych was put on vacation leave by President Kuchma in the midst of the Orange Revolution.{{cite news|date=11 March 2010|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/61476/|title=Newsmaker: Ukraine prime minister nominee is close ally of president|work=Kyiv Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314055413/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/61476/|archive-date=14 March 2010}} After the runoff, Yanukovych attempted to resume his duties as prime minister, but effectively unable to do so, announced his resignation on 31 December 2004,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4061253.stm|title=Timeline: Battle for Ukraine|work=BBC News|date=23 January 2005|archive-date=19 February 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060219022841/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4061253.stm|url-status=live}}
{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4138581.stm|title=Yanukovych quits as Ukraine PM|work=BBC News|date=31 December 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060314204307/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4138581.stm|archive-date=14 March 2006|url-status=live}} and Azarov was named acting prime minister again. The Yanukovych Cabinet was officially dismissed on 5 January 2005.{{cite news|url=http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/33464/|title=Ukrainian parliament dismisses Tymoshenko's government|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|date=10 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523180114/http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/33464/|archive-date=23 May 2012|url-status=live}} Azarov continued as acting prime minister until shortly after the inauguration of Viktor Yushchenko, when Yulia Tymoshenko was appointed prime minister on 24 January 2005. Azarov remained a strong political ally of Yanukovych, and again became a member of parliament for the Party of Regions after the 2006 Parliamentary elections. When Yanukovych became prime minister again on 4 August 2006, Azarov was elected the First Vice Prime Minister and Finance Minister in the second Yanukovych Government.

=Prime minister=

File:Komorowski&Azarow.jpg Bronisław Komorowski and Azarov (30 September 2010)]]

File:Ministru prezidents Valdis Dombrovskis tiekas ar Ukrainas Premjerministru Mikolu Azarovu (6850630007).jpg Valdis Dombrovskis (10 February 2012)]]

Following his election as President of Ukraine,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8514517.stm|title=Ukraine: Tymoshenko vows to contest election result|work=BBC News|date=15 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214053158/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8514517.stm|archive-date=14 February 2010|url-status=live}} Viktor Yanukovych offered three candidates for prime minister on 21 February 2010: Sergei Tigipko, Our Ukraine faction member Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Azarov.{{cite news|work=Kyiv Post|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/60468/|title=Yanukovych has yet to secure ruling majority in parliament|date=25 February 2010|archive-date=3 March 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100303125845/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/60468/}} Azarov had headed Yanukovych's election campaign during the 2010 Presidential elections. The Verkhovna Rada appointed Azarov Prime Minister of Ukraine on 11 March 2010.{{cite news|title=Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych forms coalition|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8561531.stm|work=BBC News|date=11 March 2010|archive-date=12 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312052933/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8561531.stm|url-status=live}} Of the 343 lawmakers registered in the session hall, 242 voted in favor of the appointment.{{cite news|url=http://unian.net/eng/news/news-366879.html|date=11 March 2010|title=Azarov became Prime Minister|agency=UNIAN|access-date=11 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314085313/http://unian.net/eng/news/news-366879.html|archive-date=14 March 2010|url-status=live}} The following month he was elected head of the Party of Regions.{{cite news|work=Kyiv Post|date=23 April 2010|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/64876/|title=Azarov elected Regions Party head|archive-date=5 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605183156/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/64876/|url-status=live}} In 28 October 2012 parliamentary election he was (re)-elected into parliament heading the party list of Party of Regions.{{cite news|work=Kyiv Post|date=30 July 2012|access-date=18 November 2012|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/party-of-regions-releases-party-list.html|title=Party of Regions releases party list|archive-date=18 November 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118015940/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/party-of-regions-releases-party-list.html}}{{cite news|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2012/11/11/6977259/|script-title=uk:Список депутатів нової Верховної Ради|trans-title=List of MPs in the new parliament|date=11 November 2012|access-date=18 November 2012|language=uk|newspaper=Ukrayinska Pravda|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122202720/http://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2012/11/11/6977259/|archive-date=22 November 2012|url-status=live}} Following Azarov's resignation as prime minister on 3 December 2012 (after several cabinet members including Azirov were elected to parliament in the previous election, something which obliged them to give up their ministerial mandates{{cite news|title=Ukraine cabinet quits, prime minister's future uncertain|work=Reuters|url-status=live|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-government-idUSBRE8B209P20121203|date=3 December 2012|access-date=13 December 2012|archive-date=6 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121206131406/https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/03/us-ukraine-government-idUSBRE8B209P20121203}}) his cabinet stayed on as caretaker government from 3 December 2012.{{cite news|title=Yanukovych dismisses Azarov and Cabinet of Ministers|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/yanukovych-dismisses-azarov-and-cabinet-of-ministers-317066.html|date=3 December 2012|access-date=4 December 2012|newspaper=Kyiv Post|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|archive-date=4 December 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204004054/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/yanukovych-dismisses-azarov-and-cabinet-of-ministers-317066.html}}
{{cite news|work=Kyiv Post|agency=Reuters|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/ukraine-government-resigns-stays-on-in-acting-role-317068.html|title=Ukraine government resigns, stays on in acting role|date=3 December 2012|access-date=4 December 2012|archive-date=4 December 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204081627/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/ukraine-government-resigns-stays-on-in-acting-role-317068.html}} On 5 December President Yanukovych stated "Azarov has good chances of remaining prime minister, (but) a lot will depend on whom he brings to his team".{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/yanukovych-azarov-has-good-chance-of-remaining-prime-minister-317185.html|title=Yanukovych: Azarov has good chance of remaining prime minister|newspaper=Kyiv Post|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|date=5 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121205202549/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/yanukovych-azarov-has-good-chance-of-remaining-prime-minister-317185.html|archive-date=5 December 2012|url-status=live|access-date=5 December 2012}} On 9 December Yanukovych nominated him for a new term as prime minister.{{cite news|newspaper=Kyiv Post|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukraine-leader-picks-prime-minister-azarov-for-new-term-in-post-317367.html|title=Yanukovych picks Azarov for new term as prime minister (updated)|date=9 December 2012|access-date=10 December 2012|archive-date=11 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121211015844/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukraine-leader-picks-prime-minister-azarov-for-new-term-in-post-317367.html|url-status=live}} This nomination was approved by parliament on 13 December 2012.{{cite news|date=13 December 2012|access-date=13 December 2012|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/ukraine-pm-idUSL5E8ND8QN20121213|title=Ukraine parliament approves Azarov as prime minister|work=Reuters|archive-date=14 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214001658/https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/13/ukraine-pm-idUSL5E8ND8QN20121213|url-status=live}} On 24 December 2012 the second Azarov Government was appointed by President Yanukovych.{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.info/news/543116-yanukovych-appoints-new-staff-of-cabinet-of-ministers-of-ukraine.html|title=President of Ukraine has appointed new staff of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine|agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|date=24 December 2012|access-date=24 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211161007/http://www.unian.info/news/543116-yanukovych-appoints-new-staff-of-cabinet-of-ministers-of-ukraine.html}}

=Resignation as Prime Minister=

Azarov resigned on 28 January 2014 amid heavy riots and the Euromaidan protests. According to his cabinet, Azarov was quoted saying that "To create additional opportunities for socio-political compromise, for the sake of the peaceful settlement of the conflict, I have made a personal decision to ask the Ukrainian president to accept my resignation from the post of Ukrainian prime minister".{{cite news|date=28 January 2014|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/187663.html|title=Ukrainian Prime Minister Azarov resigns|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|archive-date=2 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202103625/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/187663.html|url-status=live}} Yevhen Murayev told Dmitry Gordon that he took the fleeing Azarov out of Ukraine from Kharkiv to Belgorod during the events of Maidan.{{cite news |last=Гордон |first=Дмитро (Gordon, Dmitro) |author-link=Dmitry Gordon |url=https://gordonua.com/news/maidan/muraev-azarov-poprosil-mozhesh-menya-otvezti-v-belgorod-ya-otvez-s-nim-byla-dorozhnaya-sumka-nebolshaya-dolzhen-byl-zabrat-cherez-dva-dnya-no-on-uzhe-ne-vernulsya-1105421.html |title=Мураев: Азаров попросил: "Можешь меня отвезти в Белгород?" Я отвез. С ним была дорожная сумка, небольшая. Должен был забрать через два дня, но он уже не вернулся |trans-title=Muraev: Azarov asked: "Can you take me to Belgorod?" I took. He had a small travel bag with him. I was supposed to pick it up in two days, but it hasn't returned. |language=ru |work=«ГОРДОН» (Gordonau.com) |date=10 July 2019 |access-date=17 February 2022}} Azarov flew to Austria to join family members in a private jet hours after quitting.{{cite news|title=Ukraine ex-PM Azarov jets to Austria|date=31 January 2014|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140131/ukraine-ex-pm-azarov-jets-austria|newspaper=GlobalPost|agency=Agence France-Presse|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203011517/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140131/ukraine-ex-pm-azarov-jets-austria|archive-date=3 February 2014|url-status=live}} As of 23 February 2014 Azarov is based in the Russian Federation.{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/192150.html|title=Azarov left for Russia|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|date=23 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227194551/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/192150.html|archive-date=27 February 2014|url-status=live}} On 29 March 2014, during a party congress, Azarov was expelled from the Party of Regions.{{cite news|url=http://www.novostimira.com.ua/news-eng-100734.html|title="Party of Regions" has excluded Yanukovich, Arbuzov, Klimenko and proceeded to the form of collective management|date=9 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408223609/http://www.novostimira.com.ua/news-eng-100734.html|archive-date=8 April 2014|url-status=live}}

=Post-resignation=

On 3 August 2015, Azarov announced the creation of the Ukraine Salvation Committee (Комитет спасения Украины) set up outside Ukraine (in Moscow), seeking to have "all citizens, political parties, labor union and social movements to unite and restore order in our home by joint efforts"{{cite news|title=Ukraine's former prime minister Azarov announces establishing Ukraine Salvation Committee|url=http://tass.ru/en/world/812210|access-date=3 August 2015|agency=Russian News Agency TASS|date=3 August 2015}} and to change Ukraine's leadership.{{cite news|title=Экс-премьер Азаров заявил о создании "Комитета спасения Украины"|url=http://ria.ru/world/20150803/1160170696.html|access-date=3 August 2015|agency=RIA Novosti|date=3 August 2015}} The committee's chairman and its choice for President of Ukraine is Volodymyr Oliynyk. Azarov claimed he could not name all members of the committee because some lived in Ukraine and it would be dangerous to disclose their names.[http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-ex-pm-azarov-forms-salvation-committee/27167032.html Ex-PM Azarov, In Moscow, Proclaims 'Salvation Committee' For Ukraine], Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (3 August 2015)

Interpol Red Notice

As of 12 January 2015, Azarov has had an Interpol Red Notice issued,{{cite web|title=AZAROV, MYKOLA|url=http://www.interpol.int/notice/search/wanted/2014-40791|website=interpol.int|access-date=3 August 2015|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110203131/https://www.interpol.int/notice/search/wanted/2014-40791|url-status=dead}} along with ex-President Viktor Yanukovych and former Minister of Finance Yuriy Kolobov,{{cite web|url=http://www.interpol.int/notice/search/wanted/2014-64176|title=INTERPOL|access-date=13 January 2015|archive-date=13 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113070541/http://www.interpol.int/notice/search/wanted/2014-64176|url-status=dead}} on charges of 'Misappropriation, embezzlement or conversion of property by malversation, if committed in respect of an especially gross amount, or by an organized group.'{{cite web|url=http://www.interpol.int/notice/search/wanted/2014-40791|title=INTERPOL|access-date=13 January 2015|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110203131/https://www.interpol.int/notice/search/wanted/2014-40791|url-status=dead}}

Since 3 July 2014, Azarov is in the international wanted list for abuse of power.{{cite news|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/07/3/7030915|newspaper=Ukrayinska Pravda|date=3 July 2014|title=Азаров знаходиться у міждержавному розшуку – МВС|trans-title=Azarov is on the international wanted list – MIA|access-date=3 July 2014}}[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/243934.html Ukraine accuses Russia of breaking CIS agreements over Yanukovych extradition], Interfax-Ukraine (12 January 2015)

Family

Azarov's son, Oleksiy, was a constituency candidate in Sloviansk for the Party of Regions during the 2012 Ukrainian parliamentary election.

{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/wealthy-entertainers-relatives-fill-party-lists-310939.html|title=Wealthy, entertainers, relatives fill party lists|date=2 August 2012|newspaper=Kyiv Post|access-date=11 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111233942/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/wealthy-entertainers-relatives-fill-party-lists-310939.html|archive-date=11 January 2013|url-status=live}} He was elected into parliament.{{cite news|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=9 November 2012|access-date=11 January 2013|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/results-of-the-vote-count-continuously-updated-315153.html|title=Results of the vote count|archive-date=11 January 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111051620/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/results-of-the-vote-count-continuously-updated-315153.html}}

In April 2014, Austrian authorities began an investigation of Oleksiy Azarov, among several other Ukrainians close to the former government, on money-laundering suspicions. Austrian banks reported suspicious capital flows earlier in 2014.{{cite news|last1=Weber|first1=Alexander|title=Austria Probes Azarov Son, Other Ukrainians on Money Laundering|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|date=15 April 2014|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-04-15/austria-probes-azarov-son-other-ukrainians-on-money-laundering|website=Bloomberg Business|access-date=2 February 2015}}

Cultural and political image

Azarov speaks Ukrainian poorly.{{cite news|work=BBC News|date=26 April 2012|access-date=9 June 2012|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1102303.stm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609073220/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1102303.stm|title=Ukraine country profile|archive-date=9 June 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite news|work=Kyiv Post|date=11 March 2010|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/61440/|title=Azarov of Party of Regions swears speaking Ukrainian if appointed prime minister|access-date=11 March 2010|url-status=live|archive-date=5 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605061452/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/61440/}}
{{YouTube|9zDq9jVj_Ng|Уроки куртульной речи от министра б'Азарова.}} Still, he assured his constituents in early March 2010 that his government would be speaking Ukrainian. Nevertheless his attempts to speak Ukrainian in public have led to the humorous term "Azirivka" for his blunders. In April 2011, he stated: "I feel one hundred percent Ukrainian".{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/102180/|title=Azarov: I feel one hundred percent Ukrainian|date=12 April 2011|access-date=12 April 2011|newspaper=Kyiv Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605061452/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/61440/|archive-date=5 June 2011}} In an 11 March 2010 article the UK daily The Guardian labeled him the most Russophile member of the new cabinet. In the same article, an anonymous Ukrainian official noted, "He's extremely boring and anti-populist".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/mar/11/ukraine-government-yanukovych-azarov|title=Ukraine's new government puts final nail in coffin of the Orange Revolution|location=UK|date=11 March 2010|work=The Guardian|author=Luke Harding|author-link=Luke Harding|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314055548/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/11/ukraine-government-yanukovych-azarov|archive-date=14 March 2010|access-date=12 March 2010}} A November 2010 Razumkov Centre nationwide survey showed that only 13.2 percent of respondents fully support his government while 45 percent stated they did not.{{cite news|url-status=live|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/93018/|title=Yanukovych to slim ranks of government|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=16 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221040410/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/93018/|archive-date=21 December 2010}}

On 13 December 2012, during the parliamentary discussion of Azarov's candidacy for the Prime Minister of Ukraine, People's Deputy of Ukraine Iryna Farion publicly asked for clarification on the reason for Azarov's inability to master the state language.{{#tag:ref|During the parliamentary debate Iryna Farion quoted Socrates: "Talk, and I will see you". She went on to claim: "The whole country is mastering the comicality of your speech. What can help you in this issue to learn, at least at an elementary level, the Ukrainian language? As a pedagogue with 20 years of experience, I see this problem in two aspects: the inability to learn the language shows either that the person is politically biased or mentally challenged. Thus, in which system of coordinates are you actually situated?"{{in lang|uk}} {{cite news|date=31 December 2012|access-date=6 January 2013|url=http://www.svoboda.org.ua/diyalnist/novyny/035340/|title=Iryna Farion presented to Azarov the book "Linguistic norm: annihilation, search, revival"|trans-title=Ірина Фаріон подарувала Азарову книгу "Мовна норма: знищення, пошук, віднова"|newspaper=Swoboda|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108002125/http://www.svoboda.org.ua/diyalnist/novyny/035340/|archive-date=8 January 2013|url-status=dead}}|group=nb}} On that the candidate to the prime minister of Ukraine replied that he agreed to improve his Ukrainian.[//www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPqq2PRpPW4#! Video footage of parliamentary session on 13 December 2012], YouTube (13 December 2012)

Views on society

Azarov had the Prime Ministerial office blessed by a priest from Kyiv Pechersk Lavra soon after he was elected prime minister in 2010. Azarov stated in March 2010 there were no female ministers in the Azarov Government because "Reforms do not fall into women's competence", while adding that he greatly respects women.{{cite news|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|url=http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/34554/|title=Ukrainian Prime Minister Azarov had his office blessed|date=19 March 2010|url-status=live|archive-date=23 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523175400/http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/34554/}}
{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/mar/24/ukraine-mykola-azarov-women|title=Ukrainian women berate 'Neanderthal' PM for sexist remarks|date=24 March 2010|work=The Guardian|access-date=25 March 2010|location=UK|first=Luke|last=Harding|archive-date=27 March 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327102425/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/24/ukraine-mykola-azarov-women}} After criticism from female politicians at home and abroad, Azarov explained that he meant he would not wish any woman, especially if she has children, to work more than 15 hours a day as a Ukrainian minister does.{{cite news|date=1 April 2010|access-date=2 April 2010|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/62995/|title=Women accuse Ukraine's Azirov of discrimination|work=Kyiv Post|archive-date=3 April 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100403005804/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/62995/}} In response Ukrainian women's rights groups filed different court cases against him. Azarov stated in May 2010 that corruption was one of the biggest problems of Ukraine, "We must combat not just instances of corruption, but totally corrupt systems".{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/azarov-informs-scientists-about-social-and-economi.html|title=Azarov informs scientists about social and economic situation in Ukraine|newspaper=Kyiv Post|agency=Interfax-Ukraine|date=24 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417003039/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/azarov-informs-scientists-about-social-and-economi.html|archive-date=17 April 2014|url-status=live}}

In a 22 January 2021 Facebook post on the occasion of the Day of Unity of Ukraine celebrating the 1919 symbolic unification of the Ukrainian People's Republic and the West Ukrainian People's Republic, Azarov claimed that instead, the 1939 Soviet annexation of Eastern Galicia and Volhynia should be recognized as the day Ukraine gained "the real unity of Ukraine". According to Azarov "many Ukrainians, do not know these facts, because now the Soviet period of Ukraine is smeared with black paint, and Bandera is glorified and glorified."{{in lang|uk}} [https://www.istpravda.com.ua/short/2021/01/22/158865/ Unity Day: reflections of politicians, non-politicians and Azarov], Historisna Pravda (22 January 2021){{#tag:ref|Azarov also claimed that prior to 1939 Western Ukraine became part of the USSR "there was no industry or social infrastructure. And look at what has been created in Western Ukraine for several decades of independence."|group=nb}}

Notes

References

External links

{{cite web|url=http://www.kmu.gov.ua/control/en/publish/article?art_id=24119845&cat_id=24119659|title=Former official biography as first vice-premier of Ukraine|access-date=11 September 2006}} (broken)
[https://web.archive.org/web/20140516203619/http://azarov.com.ua/ Web page of Mykola Azarov] (broken)