Zelensky asks Dubinsky to leave The People’s Servant faction, report says

At a meeting with People’s Servant parliamentary
faction on Jan. 25, President Zelensky asked scandalous MP Oleksandr Dubinsky to
voluntarily leave faction, the pravda.com.ua news site said, citing an
anonymous faction MP. Zelensky told Dubinsky his presence is making the faction
vulnerable, expressing disappointment that the MP ignored his warnings of not
to get involved with MP Andriy Derkach, who has been accused by the U.S.
government of being a Russian Security Service (FSB) agent. Dubinsky “split the
faction the entire time” in parliament, while his journalistic activity during
this time harmed the poll ratings and image of The People’s Servant
parliamentary faction.

Pro-Russian MP Maksym Buzhankiy, also of The People’s
Servant faction, defended his colleague’s actions during the 30-minute talk at
the faction’s meeting. Zelensky was reported to have accused them both of sabotaging
many bills, hinting that they flaunted the faction’s leadership. Dubinsky
alleged in response that the “sorosiata” (members of Western-sponsored NGOs)
and “shabuniata” of the Anti-Corruption Action Centre had deceived him about
his actions. Zelensky was reported to have asked Dubinsky to not seek backing
from the President’s Office. He asked faction heads to gather votes both in
favor and opposed to Dubinsky’s exclusion.

Recall, Dubinsky was among seven Ukrainian citizens
who had sanctions imposed on them on Jan. 11 for interfering in the U.S.
presidential elections. They were all tied to Derkach, who published a series
of embarrassing audio recordings between former President Poroshenko and
then-U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, which are alleged by the U.S. to have been
doctored. Dubinsky built his journalism career promoting the business and
politics of billionaire Ihor Kolomoisky, who has been targeted by
the U.S. with civil complaints and criminal investigations and
has taken a pro-Russian position in recent years.

Zenon Zawada: The
Dubinsky episode is the latest example of President Zelensky’s behavior pattern
of accommodating those political players who exert the most pressure on him on
a particular issue, at a particular moment. Zelensky has taken many pro-Russian
positions, and has allowed pro-Russian forces to take control of numerous key
institutions. But he is seeking to rid himself of Dubinsky only because he has
been specifically targeted by the U.S., which controls many purse strings that
Zelensky needs. 

We see a likely outcome of Dubinsky being excluded
from the faction, not only because he has been targeted by the U.S. but because
he has a repulsive persona with numerous scandals under his belt. But the rest
of the pro-Russian MPs in the People’s Servant faction can sit comfortably so
long as their activity doesn’t draw U.S. attention and sanctioning. And
Kolomoisky will retain enough loyal MPs in The People’s Servant regardless of
Dubinsky’s fate.