“The meeting was about inflation and growing wage arrears. There were five oblast governors representing oblasts, which , in cabinet’s view, lagged behind. Unfortunately, there are growing wage arrears in the Lviv oblast, and I admit the fact. But we are ready to deal with the situation, and that is what I told the premier about,” Governor Kmit says.

Commenting on high inflation rate, Mykola Kmit said: “There is high inflation all around Ukraine. I analysed the 7-month statistics and found that the oblast rates differ by only about 1.5-1.0%. Had the difference been 5-8%, one could have blamed any particular governor. With the inflation rate similar for all the oblasts, one can speak only about global Ukrainian, not regional, factors causing it,” Kmit added.

Commenting on the 30-day deadline given by the cabinet to rectify the situation in the oblasts, Mykola Kmit said: “I think, the cabinet’s deadline was misinterpreted. I think, the deadline relates to all governors and not only to those present at the cabinet meeting. The same meeting is to be held in 30 days, this time with the governors posting the highest inflation rates. In this respect, Premier Tymoshenko declared that she will insist on sanctions against such governors.”