Oleh Rybachuk
Oleh Rybachuk | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 22, 1958 Ukraine |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, public figure |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Known for | Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European Integration, Chief of Staff to President Viktor Yushchenko, co-founder of NGO Centre UA |
Oleh Borysovych Rybachuk (Ukrainian: Олег Борисович Рибачук; born 22 April 1958) is a notable Ukrainian politician and public figure.
Biography
Rybachuk completed his studies at the Faculty of Philology at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv between 1975 and 1980, specializing in English and French languages. Subsequently, he attained an additional degree in economics from Kyiv National Economic University during 1993–1996. In 1997, he pursued further education at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in the United States.
Career
- 1980–1986: Served as Inspector and later Senior Inspector at Kyiv Customs.
- 1986–1991: Worked as an English translator for TO "Zakordonnaftobud" in India.
- 1992: Led Foreign Exchange Transactions at Kyiv Joint Stock Commercial Exchange Bank «Kyyivbirzhbank».
- 1992–1999: Held positions including Chief of Foreign Relations, Head of International Banking Relations, and Director of International Relations at the National Bank of Ukraine.
- 1999–2001: Directed the Prime Minister's Office within the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
- 2001–2002: Vice-President at the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank based in Thessaloniki, Greece.
- April 2002–March 2005: Elected Member of the Parliament of Ukraine (4th convocation) representing Viktor Yushchenko’s Bloc «Our Ukraine». He was Head of the Parliamentary group “Together,” served as authorized representative of the faction, and chaired the Subcommittee on Banking and Currency Regulation. Additionally, he managed Viktor Yushchenko’s campaign operations.
- February 4 – September 7, 2005: Held the position of Deputy Prime Minister responsible for European Integration.
- September 7, 2005 – September 16, 2006: Appointed State Secretary of Ukraine and Chief of Staff to President Viktor Yushchenko.
- May–October 2006: Functioned as Secretary of the Political Council under the President.
- October 2005 – September 2006: Participated as a member of the National Security and Defense Council.
- September 2006: Assumed role as Advisor to the President.
- From December 2007 until March 2008: Served as Non-staff Advisor to the President; tenure ended following public criticism directed at Chief of Staff Viktor Baloha.
- 2006–2008: Chaired the Supervisory Council at JSC State Savings Bank of Ukraine ("Oschadbank") and was a member of the Supervisory Council at JSC State Export-Import Bank ("Ukreximbank").
- December 2008 – May 2016: Served on the Supervisory Council at PJSC ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih.
- Since 2009: Acts as Chairman and co-founder of NGO «Centre UA»; initiated several public campaigns such as «New Citizen», Civil Movement "Chesno," and the coalition "Reanimation Package of Reforms." Also co-founded the think tank "Collegium of Anna Yaroslavna."
Euromaidan
The Financial Times credits Rybachuk's New Citizen organization with playing a pivotal role in sparking the Euromaidan demonstrations.
Accusation for special services work
According to a report by The Washington Times, an anonymous source within British intelligence accused Rybachuk of being an agent for the Soviet and subsequently Russian Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU). Rybachuk admitted to having contacts with the KGB during Soviet times, clarifying in a 2017 interview that such connections were necessary for overseas assignments. He rejected claims that he operated as an agent for Russian intelligence, asserting that these allegations were politically motivated efforts by the Ukrainian Presidential Office.
See also
References
- Russia's hybrid warfare tactics in Ukraine
- Rybachuk discusses his work with Soviet intelligence
- Which intelligence agency did Oleh Rybachuk serve?