Al Jazeera: Zelensky Might Come to Regret Hiring Saakashvili
Worldwide news outlet Al Jazeera wrote an article about Saakashvili’s possible appointment on the post of Deputy PM in Ukraine, under the orders of President Zelensky and the ‘Sluha Narodu’ party. Al Jazeera used the following subtitle to the article about the ex-president of Georgia, aiming to hold a high post in the Ukrainian government; “Analysts say Ukraine's Zelenskyy might come to regret hiring Saakashvili, who is known to be a temperamental politician” reads the caption.
"I hope to be a reliable member of the team and come in handy for the people of Ukraine," Saakashvili stated in an interview when asked about his potential future office.
"I also hope to use my international experience in order to be useful to members of [Prime Minister Denys Shmygal's] government, including in relations with international financial organizations, to strengthen the prestige of Ukraine," Saakashvili added.
Despite Saakashvili’s appeal and charisma, many have come to criticize the former Presidents' political moves, in both countries, of Georgia and Ukraine likewise. Saakashvili was appointed to the post of Governor of Odessa, by Petro Poroshenko (President of Ukraine at the time) where he held the office for two years.
Ukrainian political analyst Peter Zalmayev based in the capital of Kyiv gave an interview to Al Jazeera, where he expressed concerns about the appointment of Saakashvili as a Deputy PM.
"It is certainly a bold and risky move. As his stint in Odesa proved, Ukraine isn't Georgia and is a much less hospitable terrain for a foreign adventurer, no matter how well-meaning," Zalmayev stated, indicating to Saakashvili’s failures to implement anti-corruption modifications during his tenure in Odessa. "Saakashvili, despite his massive charisma and uncanny ability to woo the street with his populism and colorful theatrics, has time and again failed to persuade members of Ukraine's political elite to accept him as an equal-opportunity player," he added.
One of the main critical arguments against Saakashvili’s employment is his tense relationship with Kremlin, and Putin to be exact. Political experts state that his nomination could ‘jeopardize’ peace agreements reached between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, around the conflict in Eastern Ukraine among Moscow-equipped separatists and Kyiv.
A political analyst in Georgia, Ghia Abashidze, correlated with the ruling Georgian Dream party, also commented on Saakashvili’s political ‘insurrection’ in the ranks of the Ukrainian government.
"Saakashvili will bring in the 'anti-Russian virus' in the Ukrainian government. His anti-Putin rhetoric will encourage the Kremlin to send more help for Donetsk and Luhansk separatists," said Abashidze, referring to the setbacks which Saakashvili’s appointment can bring.
"But as soon as Ukraine's leadership, realize that they failed to outplay Saakashvili they will make every effort, like Poroshenko, to get rid of him. And all oligarchs will help them in this. And the whole bureaucratic apparatus. Interests will quickly coincide," Abashidze added, as Saakashvili has an interesting history to confront the ‘elite’ who placed him in the high-ranking offices, which he has no abundance of holding throughout his political career.
By B.Alexishvili