Kukhta Pavlo Andriyovych

First Deputy Minister of Economy (2019–2020), Acting Minister

First Deputy Minister of Economic Development (September 2019 — April 2020). From March 10, 2020, temporarily served as Acting Minister. Before public service, he was an economic journalist, expert of the Reanimation Package of Reforms, advisor to the Center for Economic Strategy, program director of the Holos party. In November 2019, he canceled the registration of a Holos party candidate for parliament at his own request.

1630% Bonus and Dismissal

In November 2019, Kukhta awarded himself a bonus of 1630% of his salary (35,200 UAH), totaling 236,000 UAH; at that time, he also granted large bonuses to subordinates. Critics viewed this as a scheme to withdraw state funds, however, no criminal proceedings were initiated. In April 2020, following the appointment of the new minister Petrashko, Kukhta submitted his resignation and left the position. On March 26, 2022, he voluntarily went to the frontline, approximately in April 2022 he was discharged from the army. On June 4, 2022, he married former presidential press secretary Yulia Mendel.