Mikhail Zurabov

Mikhail Yuryevich Zurabov (Russian: Михаил Юрьевич Зурабов, pronounced [mʲɪxɐˈil zʊˈrabəf]) is a Russian politician. He was the ambassador of Russia to Ukraine[1] (2009-2016[2]) and former Minister of Health and Social Development (in Mikhail Fradkov's first and second cabinets. He held the post of Minister of Health and Social Development from 9 March 2004 to 24 September 2007.

Mikhail Zurabov, 2004

On 13 August 2009 Zurabov was appointed ambassador of Russia to Ukraine, replacing former prime minister Viktor Chernomyrdin in that role.[3] However, on 11 August 2009 Russian President Medvedev postponed the sending of a new Russian ambassador to Ukraine "in view of the anti-Russian position of the current Ukrainian authorities".[3][4] Zurabov presented his diplomatic credentials to (newly elected) Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on 2 March 2010.[5]

Biography

Zurabov was born on 3 October 1953. He completed his undergraduate degree at the State University of Management in Moscow, and his master's degree at the All Union Scientific Research Institute for System Research. He held the position of Chairman of the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation from 1999 to 2004.

Zurabov is married to Yulia. They have a biological daughter Anastasia, and one grandson.[6] In 2006 they adopted a young boy.[7]

Relations with Ukraine

Zurabov speaks Russian and Ukrainian.[8][9]

In an interview with Izvestiya v Ukraine in June 2010 Zurabov, as an ambassador to Ukraine, asserted that Russians and Ukrainians are a single nation with "some nuances, peculiarities, but a single nation".[10] Zurabov allowed himself to announce the Ukrainian anthem "Ukraine has not perished" as a Russian folk song that was to be performed by the Cossack choir during Russia Day in June 2012. The Ukrainian officials that were invited, however, continued to munch on their food without expressing any protests.[11][12]

References
  1. Ukraine president vows not to give up Crimea, The Guardian (7 June 2014)
    Ukraine's Poroshenko sworn in and sets out peace plan, BBC News (7 June 2014)
    Excerpts from Poroshenko's speech, BBC News (7 June 2014)
    Ukraine’s President Poroshenko pushes for peace at inauguration, Euronews (7 June 2014)
    Poroshenko offers escape for rebels but no compromise over weapons, Euronews (7 June 2014)
    (in Ukrainian) Speech by President of Ukraine during the inauguration ceremony. Full text, Ukrayinska Pravda (7 June 2014)
  2. Ukraine's MFA: Appointment of Russia's ambassador to Ukraine no longer on agenda, UNIAN (4 August 2016)
  3. Dmitry Medvedev signed the Executive Order appointing Mikhail Zurabov Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Ukraine Archived 13 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Kremlin.ru (13 August 2009)
  4. Address to the President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko Archived 15 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Kremlin.ru (11 August 2009)
  5. Russian ambassador to Ukraine presents credentials to Yanukovych, RIA Novosti (2 March 2010)
  6. http://www.mk.ru/editions/daily/article/2007/09/14/81372-mihail-zurabov-stal-dedom.html
  7. http://izvestia.ru/news/315582
  8. Yanukovych: Ukraine will do whatever it takes to restore relations with Russia, Kyiv Post (2 March 2010)
  9. Russian Ambassador Zurabov presents credentials to President Yanukovych, Kyiv Post (2 March 2010)
  10. Zurabov asserts that Russians and Ukrainians are single nation, unian.net (15 June 2010)
  11. (video) Сергей Соболев: "Как посол России "опустил" Украину?" (Serhiy Sobolev: How the ambassador of Russia dishonored Ukraine) Glavkom.tv 8 June 2012
  12. The Russian ambassador called the Ukrainian anthem a Russian folk song Rupor.info 8 June 2012
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