Mykola Azarov served as the Prime Minister of Ukraine from March 2010 until his resignation in January 2014, following significant civil unrest and the Euromaidan protests. A geologist by training, he transitioned into high-level politics, becoming a prominent figure in the Party of Regions and a close political associate of Viktor Yanukovych throughout his career.
Early Career and Geological Work
Born in Kaluga in 1947, he was educated at the Moscow State University Faculty of Geology, where he eventually earned a doctorate in geological and mineralogical sciences. He moved to Donetsk in 1984, working within the State Research and Design Institute of Mining Geology and Geomechanics. Before shifting fully to government administration, he served as a university teacher at the Donetsk National Technical University.
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In 1994, he was elected as a People's Deputy of Ukraine, representing the Petroskiy electoral district. He became a fixture in the tax system, heading the State Tax Administration of Ukraine from 1996 until 2002. During these years, he was associated with the inter-regional parliamentary group supporting President Leonid Kuchma and served as an adviser to the currency council of the Cabinet of Ministers.
Executive Roles and Economic Policy
He served as the Minister of Finance from 2002 to 2005 and again between 2006 and 2007, periods that coincided with the first and second Yanukovych governments. He acted as Prime Minister briefly in 2004 and 2005 during leadership transitions. His tenure involved managing economic reforms and fiscal policy during a period of notable GDP growth.
Prime Ministry and Transition to Russia
Appointed Prime Minister in March 2010 after the election of Viktor Yanukovych, he led the cabinet for nearly four years. He was re-elected to the Verkhovna Rada in 2012 while heading the Party of Regions list. Following his resignation in 2014, he relocated to the Russian Federation, where he later established the Ukraine Salvation Committee.
Fast facts
- Born: 1947, Kaluga
- Prime Minister of Ukraine: 2004, 2005, 2010–2014
- Minister of Finance of Ukraine: 2002–2005, 2006–2007
- Education: Moscow State University Faculty of Geology
- Awards: Lenin Komsomol Prize (1979), Order of Honour (2012), Order of Friendship (2007)
- Professional background: Engineer, economist, geologist
- Political affiliation: Party of Regions
Questions readers ask
What was Mykola Azarov's professional background before politics?
He was a trained geologist and academic who earned a doctorate in geological and mineralogical sciences and worked at the Donetsk National Technical University.
How long did he serve as Prime Minister of Ukraine?
He held the position of Prime Minister from 11 March 2010 to 27 January 2014, with additional brief periods as acting prime minister in 2004 and 2005.
