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"The IMF screwed up": Will Milovanov's comment affect the negotiations with the Fund

The other day, the Adviser to the Head of the Office of the President and former Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture Tymofiy Mylovanov badmouthed the IMF after the representatives of the mission had not approved providing the next tranche to Ukraine.

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The top official made his statement in a comment on his own post on Facebook. In it, he talked about his visit to the United Arab Emirates and the successful agreements with the local prince to increase trade between our countries.

Responding to the comment of the user Den Yuvzhenko "They screwed up with the IMF, so they need at least somehow to compensate that", Mylovanov wrote "That was the IMF who screwed up, not Ukraine. If we look at it honestly."

Many readers of his page condemned such a harsh statement from the official representative of Ukraine, expressed concern that it could cause a deterioration in relations between Ukraine and the International Fund and doubts about the competence of the former minister. Milovanov himself no longer commented on his statement.

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For example, after these comments, the former Minister of Social Policy Pavlo Rozenko decided to find out what post Mylovanov officially holds.

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Other commentators also reacted negatively.

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According to political scientist Volodymyr Fesenko, Mylovanov's statement can hardly be considered an official comment, because this is just messaging on Facebook, but the Adviser to the Office of the President should rather be more careful in the wording.

Quote"I can agree: even if you are no longer a Minister, but an unofficial adviser, nevertheless, as an Adviser to the President, it is better to avoid not very politically correct terms," he said in a comment to The Page.

Translating into the politically correct language, Mylovanov thus voiced a complaint against the IMF delegation that should nevertheless strike some compromises with the Ukrainian side, the political scientist believes.

"But in the future, it is better to avoid such wording. Using the example of Tymofiy Mylovanov, as well as Yuriy Vitrenko, whose interviews are now creating problems for him before another attempt to be appointed Minister, I would advise to think about every word," Fesenko explained.

This requires political experience and political skills, the expert says, because even if the official meant the right things, one needs to understand how it will be perceived and interpreted.

Milovanov, Vitrenko, as well as partly other officials are professional people, I have heard good reviews about them, but they still do not have political instinct and understanding of political restrictions. And I believe not everyone can master this. Some make shocking behaviour their style, [then] this is already a role. But if you are applying for the role of a senior official, it is better to avoid shocking behaviour. A politician can do such a thing—they will be quoted, invited to talk shows, but with shocking behaviour, the road to high positions is closed. Vitrenko is now creating a problem for himself, it would be better for him not to give interviews for now. Mylovanov has nothing to lose, but with such wordings he indirectly creates problems for the presidential team. Although I understand what he meant, it creates a basis for criticism and innuendo. Returning to the old terminology, you need to "watch your mouth."

Volodymyr Fesenko

Volodymyr Fesenko

political scientist


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