Oleksandr Danylyuk

Oleksandr Danylyuk
Born	(1975-07-22) July 22, 1975 Ukraine
Occupation(s)	Military officer, politician
Years active	2005–present
Known for	Minister of Finance of Ukraine (2016–2018), Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (2019)

Oleksandr Oleksandrovich Danylyuk (, born 22 July 1975) is a Ukrainian military officer and politician who held the position of Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council in 2019, and served as Ukraine's Minister of Finance between 2016 and 2018. Additionally, he is a co-founder and leads the Center for National Resilience and Development.

Early life and education

Danylyuk was raised in a family deeply rooted in science; his father is affiliated with the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, while his mother was a cybernetics instructor at the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.

He earned his degree in electrical engineering from the National Technical University of Ukraine in 1998. Prior to that, he attended the Kyiv Institute of Investment Management in 1995 and later completed an MBA at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business in 2001.

Private Sector Experience

Oleksandr Danylyuk’s professional journey includes roles as consultant and investment manager with firms such as TEKT, Alfa Capital, and the Western NIS Enterprise Fund (WNISEF) within Ukraine. He subsequently spent three years at McKinsey & Company offices in London and Moscow, concentrating on UK tax policy reforms and strategic initiatives in the energy and telecommunications industries. From 2006 to 2010, he led the Rurik Investment fund, which operated out of London and Luxembourg.

Public Sector Roles

His public service began in 2005 when he became an economic advisor to then Prime Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov, where he was involved in energy sector reforms and the privatization process of state enterprises like Kryvorizhstal, which was later acquired by Mittal Steel Company N.V. During President Viktor Yanukovych’s administration, Danylyuk served as an advisor and chaired the Economic Reforms Coordination Center from 2010 to 2015. This non-partisan think tank focused on enhancing Ukraine’s investment environment, strengthening the rule of law, and fostering collaboration with the International Monetary Fund. The center played a crucial role in formulating reform policies that laid the groundwork for changes following the Revolution of Dignity.

Although Yanukovych offered limited backing, Danylyuk was removed by acting President Oleksandr Turchynov in February 2014. Subsequently, he advised Vice-Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman between March and July 2014, then took on the role of permanent presidential representative to the Cabinet of Ministers starting July 2014, before advancing to deputy head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine in September 2015.

Tenure as Minister of Finance

Appointed Minister of Finance in 2016, Danylyuk emphasized enhancing Ukraine’s investment appeal, establishing transparent regulations for businesses and investors, and reforming public financial management. His team crafted the Public Finance Administration Strategy for 2017–2021 aimed at improving fiscal planning and elevating public service standards.

Among the Ministry’s chief objectives were transforming the State Fiscal Service from a punitive body into a customer-focused institution; replacing the tax police with a Financial Investigation Service; implementing customs reforms; refining tax legislation; adopting medium-term budget frameworks; executing a State Banks Development Strategy; promoting transparency through e-data on public expenditures; reforming audit practices; and driving internal organizational changes to support wider reforms.

On 7 June 2018, following a proposal by Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, Ukraine’s parliament voted to remove Danylyuk from his ministerial post. This decision came after Danylyuk sent a letter to G-7 ambassadors accusing Groysman of obstructing critical reforms within the State Fiscal Service necessary for anti-corruption efforts. Groysman argued that these allegations jeopardized negotiations over EU financial aid. Meanwhile, Danylyuk claimed he faced pressure to allocate government funds towards politically favored projects.

During his term, Danylyuk also spearheaded efforts to dismiss Roman Nasirov, then Head of the State Fiscal Service, citing corruption allegations and resistance to tax administration reforms. Despite opposition from influential supporters backing Nasirov, Danylyuk ultimately succeeded in securing his permanent removal by 2018.

Collaboration with the IMF and Market Reentry

Soon after taking office, Danylyuk reestablished ties with the IMF following an extended hiatus, unlocking vital financial support by capitalizing on a trusted partnership with the institution.

PrivatBank Nationalization

In December 2016, Ukraine’s largest financial institution, PrivatBank, was brought under state ownership, with the Ministry of Finance becoming its exclusive shareholder. This transition was the result of over a year of preparation led jointly by the National Bank and Ministry of Finance. Formerly controlled by prominent businessmen Ihor Kolomoyskyi and Gennadiy Bogolyubov, PrivatBank served more than 22 million clients and was integral to Ukraine’s banking system. As part of the nationalization deal, Kolomoyskyi and Bogolyubov pledged to reimburse state losses within six months but failed to fulfill this obligation, leading to government-initiated criminal investigations against them.

Asset Freeze on Kolomoyskyi

In December 2017, a London court ordered a global freeze on assets owned by PrivatBank’s previous shareholders. Danylyuk was instrumental in achieving this outcome despite opposition from senior officials who attempted to obstruct the process. Multiple criminal cases were launched targeting advisors connected to the National Bank, Ministry of Finance, and PrivatBank in efforts to prevent the asset freeze. Nevertheless, the worldwide freeze remains active.

Reform of the State Fiscal Service

Danylyuk prioritized overhauling the State Fiscal Service as a key anti-corruption initiative aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s business environment. He embedded this reform within IMF cooperation frameworks and established a supervisory board comprising G7 ambassadors, an IMF delegate, and a business ombudsman. However, tensions arose with then-Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman when Groysman reversed reform measures during negotiations with the IMF.

Establishment of Anti-Corruption Institutions

Prior to his role as Minister of Finance, Danylyuk significantly contributed to advancing Ukraine’s anti-corruption agenda. He spearheaded drafting and advocating for the Law on the National Anticorruption Bureau (NABU), creating mechanisms to safeguard its autonomy.

He introduced electronic systems for asset declarations and recruitment within the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP), boosting transparency. Additionally, Danylyuk championed the creation of the High Anti-Corruption Court, actively urging government leaders to pass the enabling legislation in 2018.

Dismantling of Corrupt Tax Police

Danylyuk advocated for law enforcement reform by pushing for the abolition of the Tax Police, an agency notorious for corruption targeting businesses. Despite resistance from senior officials, legislation was enacted that effectively removed the Tax Police’s authority.

When attempts were made by the coalition to restore these powers, Danylyuk publicly opposed the move in Parliament—an uncommon ministerial confrontation with both the President and legislature. Ultimately, Parliament upheld his stance, blocking efforts supported by allies of President Poroshenko.

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (2019)

On 28 May 2019, Danylyuk assumed the role of Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, responsible for managing national security matters under the President's authority. Beginning in June, he also took charge of the National Cyber Security Coordination Center and became a member of the National Council for Anti-Corruption Policy.

He stepped down on 27 September 2019, citing conflicts with internal governmental dynamics and expressing concerns about the professionalism within the new administration. He highlighted that these systemic challenges represented serious threats and expressed hope for remedial measures from the President.

Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the National Depository

Danylyuk was elected chairman of the supervisory board of the National Depository on 25 September 2020. However, on 28 April 2021, shareholders revoked his authority, a move he attributed to efforts aimed at installing a candidate aligned with the Presidential Administration.

Disqualification in the competition for the head of the Bureau of Economic Security

In 2021, Danylyuk submitted his candidacy to lead the newly formed Bureau of Economic Security, a law enforcement agency focused on investigating economic offenses. On 29 July 2021, he was disqualified from the selection process due to failing to provide a diploma that met the specified specialty requirements.

Center for National Resilience and Development

In December 2020, Oleksandr Danylyuk co-established the Center for National Resilience and Development together with former Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin and ex-Prosecutor General Ruslan Riaboshapka.

Earnings

According to his electronic declaration for 2019, Danylyuk's income as Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council amounted to ₴297,395 (approximately US$11,015), alongside royalties totaling ₴1,692,125 (around US$62,671). His bank accounts held US$3,130, €45,895, and ₴1,635, while he declared cash assets amounting to US$36,000. His possessions included a shared ownership in a cottage measuring 290 m², land spanning 984 m², a 2017 Volvo XC60 vehicle, and an antique Swiss silver Sector Watch dating back to the early twentieth century.

Family

Oleksandr Danylyuk is married to Lilia Litkovska, a Ukrainian fashion designer and founder of the internationally recognized LITKOVSKA brand, which maintains markets in France, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Since 2016, this brand has been featured in Paris Fashion Week's official lineup.

They are parents to three children: two sons—Richard (born 2001), who is pursuing chemistry studies at Cambridge University; Volodymyr (born 2008), enrolled at Millfield School—and a daughter named Radomyra (born 2019).

Danylyuk is proficient in five languages: Ukrainian, Russian, English, Spanish, and French.