International donors oppose early dismissal of Ukrenergo chief Kudrytskyi
International financial organizations are opposing the rumored early dismissal of Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the head of Ukraine’s power grid operator Ukrenergo, urging the government to defer to Ukrenergo's supervisory board.
This appeal was outlined in a letter to Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal, which was published by Ukrainian MP Inna Sovsun on Sept. 2.
“The EU, EBRD [European Bank for Reconstruction and Development], and IFC [International Finance Corporation] have already communicated openly with authorities regarding the postponement of the vote to dismiss Kudrytskyi, highlighting both governmental pressure on the supervisory board’s position and the potential consequences of such a decision, as well as concerns about funding for our energy sector’s protection and recovery,” Sovsun wrote in a Facebook post.
According to another MP, Yaroslav Zheleznyak, the government plans to fire Kudrytskyi from his position on Sept. 2, well before his term in office expires in August 2025.
“Tonight, they plan to overrule the supervisory board and dismiss Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the head of Ukrenergo,” Zheleznyak stated.
The letter emphasizes that in the current challenging situation, where the work of Ukrenergo is critical for Ukraine’s security and preparation for the winter season, any changes in the company's senior management “must be carefully considered and well-prepared.”
The donors also voiced concerns over the delay in appointing the seventh independent member of Ukrenergo's supervisory board. They reiterated that an independent supervisory board is crucial for securing funding from the EU and other international donors.
The letter was signed by Katarina Mathernova, EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Arvid Tuerkner, Executive Director for Ukraine and Moldova at EBRD, Ines Rocha, Regional Director for Europe at the International Finance Corporation, and Roman Vashchuk, Ukraine’s Business Ombudsman.
NV’s sources previously suggested that the Energy Ministry is pushing for Kudrytskyi’s dismissal, seeking to directly subordinate Ukrenergo. Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko and Kudrytskyi reportedly had a series of “managerial and professional disagreements” in the past.
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