KIEV — Ukraine's parliament has voted in a new government, putting foreign technocrats in key financial roles and renewing terms for the foreign and defense ministers in a signal that no major change in policy is likely on the rebellious east.
Parliament on Tuesday endorsed Pavlo Klimkin as foreign minister and Stepan Poltorak as defense chief in the cabinet of Arseniy Yatsenyuk as shelling persisted in eastern Ukraine despite a fresh truce deal between government troops and pro-Russian separatists.
Kiev has been under international pressure to form a new government quickly to tackle Ukraine's near-bankrupt economy and the months-long separatist crisis after political parties favoring closer relations with the West scored a resounding victory in the October parliamentary election.
"2015 will be even more difficult than the current year," Yatsenyuk told deputies ahead of the vote. "We are ready for the most radical, tough and effective reforms."
The new cabinet includes foreign technocrats in pivotal posts such as finance minister for Natalie Jaresko, a U.S. citizen, who has worked in Ukraine for more than 20 years after holding various economic positions in the U.S. State Department.
Ukraine has been offered billions of dollars in aid by international lenders if it carries out economic reform and President Petro Poroshenko said the administration would benefit from international specialist input.
The parliamentary vote did not pass without mishap.
The speaker had to call a second ballot after complaints from coalition members — a display of internal disagreement that bodes ill for the parliament's ability to thrust through the reforms it must deliver to ensure Ukraine gets more Western aid.
The other two foreign appointees to the cabinet were Lithuanian Aivaras Abromavicius, a partner in investment firm East Capital, and Georgian Alexander Kvitashvili, who are now economy and health ministers, respectively.
Under Poroshenko and Yatsenyuk, Kiev has cut aid to the eastern regions held by pro-Russian rebels since soon after protesters toppled Kiev's pro-Moscow president in February.
Fighting has continued despite a cease-fire agreed on Sept. 5. In the rebel stronghold of Donetsk a senior separatist figure said rival sides agreed a new local truce from 3 p.m. around the city airport.
Sounds of fighting abated but did not stop. Kiev said rebels renewed attacks on the airport in the evening.
Russia acknowledges supporting the separatists but denies Western charges of being a party to the armed conflict.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
