Saakashvili ready to become prime minister of Ukraine, not president

Mikheil Saakashvili, who was released from custody under a decision of a Kiev district court, has told ZIK TV channel that there were “hints” from President Petro Poroshenko about the post of prime minister that the former governor of Odessa Region is ready to take.

According to Saakashvili, he previously rejected Poroshenko’s offers to lead the government. “When I learned that he evidently hinted to Yatsenyuk (Arseny Yatsenyuk, former Ukrainian prime minister - EADaily) that I would be next prime minister, I asked Poroshenko about it. He said: ‘Why not?’ I said: ‘No’,” Saakashvili elaborated.

Now his will has changed. He says that is ready to head the government to “take the responsibility for a normal Ukrainian government.” At the same time, Saakashvili does not plan running for presidency, as he believes the post should be taken by the one who was born in Ukraine.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Yuri Lutsenko said he was pressured concerning the Saakashvili case who is accused in rendering assistance to criminal groups. “I think, the case is being destroyed because of politicization of the matter. I have been facing a colossal pressure within last week, they want me to put a blind eye to what apatride Saakashvili affords,” he said.

To remind, Saakashvili was detained on Dec 8 in Kiev. However, on Dec 11, Kiev Pechersky District Court ruled not to keep him in custody as the prosecution claimed. Saakashvili was released.