Zelensky asks PM to consider culture minister's replacement, latter resigns

MOSCOW. July 21 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has proposed to Prime Minister Denis Shmygal that Culture and Information Policy Minister Alexander Tkachenko be replaced in his post.

"State resources must be spent on defense. And each project that can be implemented using extra-budgetary resources should be implemented using extra-budgetary resources," Ukrainian media quoted Zelensky as saying in his video address it he early hours of Friday.

"Museums, culture centers, symbols, TV series. All of this is important, but priorities are different now. Find extra-budgetary funding. Not the state's," Zelensky said.

"I proposed two steps to the prime minister. Firstly, find extra-budgetary funding for projects that we do need now. There are people around the world who can help. And secondly, I asked for considering the Ukrainian culture and information policy minister's replacement," Zelensky said.

"People should feel that budget resources are being used fairly and properly," Zelensky said. "Everyone understands what I am talking about. Cobblestone pavements, city beautification, and fountains will wait," he said.

Ukrainian media also reported that Tkachenko resigned "over a tide of misunderstanding regarding the importance of culture" during a crisis.

"Tendered my resignation to the prime minister tonight," Tkachenko said. "Only then was surprised to see the president's statement on the same matter," he said.

Both private a budget funding for culture during a crisis is "just as important as drones, because culture is a shield of our identity and our borders. And this is my principled position against others," Tkachenko said.