Vladyslav Volodymyrovych Kaskiv (Ukrainian: Владислав Володимирович Каськів; born 1 December 1973) is a Ukrainian businessman and politician currently serving as a member of the Zakarpattia Oblast Council from the proportional list of Opposition Platform — For Life since 2020. He previously served as a People's Deputy of Ukraine from the proportional list of Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc from 2007 to 2012, and helped to organise the 2004 Orange Revolution.

Vladyslav Kaskiv
Владислав Каськів
Kaskiv in 2007
Member of the Zakarpattia Oblast Council
Assumed office
10 November 2020
ConstituencyOPZZh, No. 6
People's Deputy of Ukraine
In office
23 November 2007 – 23 February 2012
ConstituencyNUNS, No. 31
Personal details
Born (1973-12-01) 1 December 1973 (age 50)
Melnytsia-Podilska, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (now Ukraine)
Political partyOpposition Platform — For Life (2020–present)
Other political
affiliations

Early life and activism

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Kaskiv was born on 1 December 1973 in the city of Melnytsia-Podilska, in Ukraine's western Ternopil Oblast.[1]

Since 1994 he has been known for his social and political activity in Ukraine. He has acted as an advisor to the Minister of Economy, advisor to the President, World Bank contact group member in 2001 and was a coordinator of PORA's civic campaign, which played the key role in organizing the Orange Revolution.[2][1]

Political career

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In the 2006 Ukrainian parliamentary election Kaskiv failed to win a seat in the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) in an alliance with his PORA and the Reforms and Order Party.[3]

In the 2007 Ukrainian parliamentary election Kaskiv was elected as a People's Deputy of Ukraine from the proportional list of the Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc During his tenure, he was an adviser to Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on foreign investment.[2] He resigned on 23 February 2012 after becoming head of the State Agency for Investment in Main National Projects of Ukraine [uk],[4] on appointment by President Viktor Yanukovych.[1]

Kaskiv fled Ukraine following the 2014 Revolution of Dignity,[5] and served as head of Ozario, an Austrian investment company.[6]

In the 2020 Ukrainian local elections Kaskiv was elected member of the Zakarpattia Oblast Council for Opposition Platform — For Life (he was number six on its election list).[7]

Embezzlement scandal

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Kaskiv was involved in an embezzlement scandal, centred around his time as director of the Ukraine State Investment Agency between 2010 and 2014.[2] In March 2016, Kaskiv was declared wanted.[7] He was suspected of having embezzled ₴7.5. million ($279,000) from the state budget, working alongside others.[5] He was arrested in Panama and extradited in order to stand trial in 2017,[8] though Kaskiv claimed to have traveled voluntarily.[5]

Recognition

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  • Gold Medal from Slovak Government for international contribution to Democracy development (02.2005)[1]
  • Award for achievement of the Hleytsman Foundation (12.2004, US)[1]
  • The memorial sign "Outstanding member of the Orange Revolution."[1]
  • "Person of the Year - 2005" in the category "Public Leader of the Year"

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Каськив Владислав" [Kaskiv, Vladyslav]. LIGA.net (in Russian). 13 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Від Помаранчевої революції до розшуку. Що необхідно знати про кар'єру Каськіва" [From the Orange Revolution to search: What to know about Kaskiv's career]. Ukrainska Pravda (in Ukrainian). 19 August 2016.
  3. ^ "Каськів Владислав Володимирович" [Kaskiv, Vladyslav Volodymyrovych]. Chesno (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  4. ^ Lytvyn, Volodymyr (23 February 2012). "Постанова Верховної Ради України про дострокове припинення повноважень народного депутата України Каськіва В.В." [Resolution of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on early termination of the powers of People's Deputy of Ukraine V. V. Kaskiv]. Verkhovna Rada (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Talant, Bermet (1 November 2017). "Ex-head of Ukraine investment agency Kaskiv 'extradited to Ukraine,' released on bail". Kyiv Post.
  6. ^ "Ozario - Official site of OZARIO Investment". Ozario.
  7. ^ a b "Ексглава Держінвестпроєкту Каськів пройшов від ОПЗЖ до Закарпатської облради" [Ex-DerzhInvestProiekt head Kaskiv enters Zakarpattia Regional Council under OPZZh]. Ukrainska Pravda (in Ukrainian). 10 November 2020.
  8. ^ "Vladyslav Kaskiv extradited from Panama to Ukraine". Ukrainian Radio. 1 November 2017.
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