Yulia TYMOSHENKO
Yulia Tymoshenko was born on 27.11.1960 in the city of Dnipropetrovsk. In 1984 she graduated with honors from Dnipropetrovsk State University. Ph.D. in Economics, in 1999 she defended a thesis entitled «The State Regulation of the Taxation System» in 1999.
In 1984 she began her career as an engineer-economist at Dnepropetrovsk Machine- Building Plant. During 1989-1995 she worked on management positions at commercial companies.
During 1995-1997 – President of «United Energy Systems of Ukraine.» she left the position after being elected as a Member of Parliament of the II convocation, representing Kirovograd region.
In 1998-2000 she was a Chairman of the Budget Committee of the Parliament of Ukraine of III convocation., and was the first author of the Budget Code of Ukraine.
In December 1999, she was appointed a Deputy Prime Minister for fuel and energy sector. While working in the government Yulia Tymoshenko initiated unprecedented steps to reform the energy market and decriminalize the fuel and energy industry, and managed to avert the industry from collapse. For the first time since independence the real economic growth in the country was achieved.
In 2001 she was an initiator of the National Salvation Forum, «Ukraine without Kuchma» and «Arise Ukraine !» actions.
In 2002, she became a leader of Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc and for three times (in 2002, 2006 and 2007) she led her political team into the Parliament of Ukraine. In 2002- 2005 she was the leader of the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc faction in the Parliament of IV convocation.
In 2004 – Co-Chair of «People Power» Electoral Coalition, one of the leaders of the Orange Revolution.
From February to September 2005 she served as Prime Minister of Ukraine. During these short months the significant improvements in social and economic spheres were progressed, substantial child nursing aid introduced, salaries and wages increased, fair and transparent procedures of privatization of the state property introduced. In 2005 the Economic Forum in Poland acknowledged Yulia Tymoshenko with an award «The Person of the Year for Central and Eastern Europe,» and the Euro-Mediterranean Forum – «For economic achievements of the Government’s anti-corruption policy and Fight for democracy.»
In 2006-2007 – the leader of Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc faction in the Parliament of Ukraine of V, VI convocations.
On 18 December 2007 Yulia Tymoshenko was again appointed the Prime Minister of Ukraine. This time the government had to work during the global financial crisis. The efficient anti-crisis programs to support key industries were implemented. The programs eventually broke the negative trends in the economy. There was launching mass production of national aircraft, putting in operation of the first stage of the Dniester Hydropower Station, receiving a record grain harvest for two years in a row, reserving the right to host Euro 2012, returning the onshore and offshore hydrocarbon Black Sea deposits into state ownership, strengthening the energy independence and removing the corrupt agent of Russian gas supplies.
Running for election in 2010 as a presidential candidate Yulia Tymoshenko received the support of more than 11.5 million Ukrainians.
Since 2010 to the present – Chairman of the Party «All-Ukrainian Ukrainian Union «Batkivshchyna».
In 2010, Yanukovych regime started political repressions against Yulia Tymoshenko and her allies. In 2011 she was imprisoned for 7 years according to a fabricated court decision.
On 30 April 2013 the European Court of Human Rights held that the detention of Yulia Tymoshenko was arbitrary, and her imprisonment was illegal and politically motivated. To implement the ECHR ruling the Supreme Council of Ukraine released her on 22.02.2014, and on 28.02.2014 the decision was taken to rehabilitate and restore all her rights.
