Bakhmatov Says He Is Stepping Down as Klitschko's Adviser

Three months before the Kyiv mayoral election.

Adviser to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko Maksym Bakhmatov said he is leaving the post he holds.

Bakhmatov explained the reason for his temporary departure as a desire to remain politically unaligned. In late October of this year, local elections will be held in Ukraine.

Maksym Bakhmatov
adviser to Vitali Klitschko

The Transformation Office was created on a volunteer basis as an anti-crisis structure to help Kyivans and activists solve the capital's global problems. The project's success is evidenced by real results, and by the fact that it was an independent political project, implemented with the help of the community and Mayor Klitschko. I would like to preserve this independence.

In April, Bakhmatov said he was interested in the post of Kyiv mayor. At the time, however, he stressed that this would only be possible if the current head of Kyiv moved to the national level.

Maksym Bakhmatov was appointed Klitschko's adviser in September 2019. His area of responsibility covered strategic and investment issues, digitalization and information technology, as well as transport infrastructure and architecture.

Among Bakhmatov's initiatives are a congestion charge for the city center, as well as taking part in Kyiv's bid to host the largest esports tournament for Dota 2 – The International.

Yesterday, Servant of the People named its candidate for mayor from its party. The party's choice is Deputy Iryna Vereshchuk.

In addition to Vereshchuk, the mayoral race in Kyiv will include incumbent city head Vitali Klitschko and former Kharkiv mayor Mykhailo Dobkin.