Kyiv City Mayor Vitaly Klychko stated, that the central government uses power structures to put pressure on local self-government with the political goal of preparing for elections and eliminating competitors.
“Today, when the war continues in the country, the central government puts pressure on local self-government. It is clear that the goal is one – preparation for the elections and clearing the political field. Although, it would seem, today more than ever, we must be united, consolidate our efforts to achieve peace in the country.”Vitaliy Klitschko noted.
According to him, large-scale searches, seizure of documents and opening of criminal proceedings, which in the end have no prospects, harm not only the image, but also the smooth functioning of the city. According to the data provided by him, from 2019 to the first quarter of 2025, law enforcement officers opened more than 1,500 criminal proceedings against employees of the KMDA and its divisions, including more than 70 already in 2025. During this time, more than 1,200 searches were conducted in the city administration, a large number of documents were seized and more than 300 suspicions were handed over.
“At the same time, according to our information, the total number of convictions that have entered into legal force is 4. Searches are carried out at work, at home, in cars and at the homes of relatives. At the same time, all this is widely covered in the media, where people are already found guilty without a court decision. All law enforcement agencies of Ukraine are involved in the investigation – state, city and law enforcement agencies from other regions. This activity has already turned into a repressive one, the main purpose of which is to discredit the capital’s authorities and paralyze life in the city.”, – emphasized Klitschko.
Volodymyr Prokopiv, Deputy Chairman of the Kyiv City Council, Deputy Chairman of the Kyiv City Council, recalled that in the most critical days of the beginning of the full-scale invasion, it was the local authorities that ensured the functioning of the city.
“In the first days of the full-scale invasion, in February 2022, someone had to take responsibility for the life of the capital. And I took this responsibility upon myself. 3 years have passed. Kyiv survived and lives.” – explained Prokopiv.
He also stated that the current actions of the central government are politically motivated and aimed at eliminating the opposition.
“Why is this happening now? In addition to the systematic persecution of the opposition, there is also an attempt to clean up local self-government in Kyiv and take control of the Kyiv City Council by electing a secretary oriented to the Office of the President, who should oppose the elected mayor Klitschko.” – summed up Prokopiv.
