Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly commented on rumors circulating in the media about a possible replacement of the head of the National Bank of Ukraine, Andriy Pyshny. Addressing journalists, the head of state stated outright that he had not taken any steps to dismiss or remove the NBU's head. "I have not initiated any steps to replace him. This is an independent institution. Pyshny is the head of the National Bank," Zelensky emphasized, thereby publicly confirming that the question of changing the regulator's leadership is not being considered by him personally as a tool of political pressure.
Disagreements Between the NBU and the Ministry of Finance
At the same time, the president did not deny the existence of sharp contradictions surrounding the regulator's activities. According to him, the head of the NBU has difficult relations with both the government and members of parliament, and this is not only about the current cabinet, but about systemic disagreements between the positions of the National Bank and government structures. "Because the position of the National Bank under him and the position of the Ministry of Finance are very different on many issues," Zelensky noted, effectively acknowledging that the institutional conflict between the NBU and the Ministry of Finance is of a persistent nature and goes beyond the current political conjuncture.
Refusal to Play the Role of Mediator
Zelensky also said that in recent years, in situations where complex disputes arose between state institutions, he had been asked to act as an arbiter, and he had performed this function. However, this time the president stated that he would not participate in facilitating dialogue between the conflicting structures. According to him, this position is due to the emergence of information campaigns that, in his view, are aimed at influencing the situation. "But now, when various information campaigns have already begun that want to influence something, I no longer participate in setting up dialogue between these institutions," the head of state declared, urging the parties to focus on the stability of the state rather than on information pretexts.
Context: the NABU/SAP Investigation and the Situation Around Sense Bank
Zelensky's comment came against the backdrop of high-profile events of recent days. On August 19, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office published the materials of an investigation into the exposure of a criminal organization to which, according to the investigation, officials of the President's Office, as well as current and former members of parliament, are involved. Following the publication of this investigation, the Verkhovna Rada summoned the head of the NBU, Andriy Pyshny, to report on the situation around the state-owned Sense Bank. In parallel, the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine was given a clear task to accelerate the process of selling the nationalized Sense Bank, with all proceeds, according to the stated intentions, to be directed to meeting the needs of the Defense Forces.
Contradictory Data
However, in assessments of the situation, a divergence in emphasis can be traced. On the one hand, Zelensky himself in direct statements categorically denies that he initiated any steps to replace Pyshny and emphasizes the independence of the NBU as an institution. On the other hand, according to Bloomberg, which is cited by the Ukrainian press, the wording is different — that the president has "grievances" against the head of the NBU. Thus, one version records the president's public refusal to intervene in the personnel issue, while the other interprets his remarks about the "different positions" of the NBU and the Ministry of Finance as a sign of hidden grievances. The difference between these two interpretations — between the formal denial of the initiative and the acknowledgment of an institutional conflict — remains open and has not been resolved by either side.
