Ukraine interior minister releases details of conflict with Saakashvili

Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov released on Dec. 16 video of his conflict with Odesa Regional Administration Head Mikheil Saakashvili at the Dec. 14 meeting of the National Reforms Council. After Saakashvili accused Cabinet members of corruption, Avakov asked Saakashvili whether he’s exceeded his authority by meddling in the privatization of the Odesa Portside Plant, a major producer of nitrogen fertilizers. The argument escalated into mutual threats and insults. As it turned out, it was Avakov to told Saakashvili to get of Ukraine, not Prime Minister Yatsenyuk. Yet Yatsenyuk joined Avakov in insulting Saakashvili. The released video segment did not include Saakashvili’s report to the council that triggered the conflict.

Zenon Zawada: It takes certain courage to accuse the prime minister and Cabinet members of corruption directly to their faces, at an important meeting that involved the president. Yet in preparing such a report, Saakashvili must have expected that an argument, and accusations in return, would inevitably erupt after such humiliation. Considering he could have refrained from provoking the conflict and presented his accusations in another setting, we draw the conclusion that Saakashvili is being driven by political ambition in casting himself as a fighter against corruption.

Saakashvili could have genuine intentions in this campaign, but in trying to put out the flames of corruption, he could end up flooding the entire house with his hose. The conflict was embarrassing not only for those accused of corruption, but the country as a whole. It merely confirms that we’re in the middle stages of the end of this government, with it being utterly unclear at this point of what will replace it.