Vladyslav Kaskiv

Vladyslav Volodymyrovych Kaskiv (Владислав Володимирович Каськів; born 1 December 1973) is a Ukrainian businessman and politician currently serving as a member of the Zakarpattia Oblast Council from the proportional list of Opposition Platform — For Life since 2020. He previously served as a People's Deputy of Ukraine from the proportional list of Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc from 2007 to 2012, and helped to organise the 2004 Orange Revolution.

Early life and activism
Kaskiv was born on 1 December 1973 in the city of Melnytsia-Podilska, in Ukraine's western Ternopil Oblast.

Since 1994 he has been known for his social and political activity in Ukraine. He has acted as an advisor to the Minister of Economy, advisor to the President, World Bank contact group member in 2001 and was a coordinator of PORA's civic campaign, which played the key role in organizing the Orange Revolution.

Political career
In the 2006 Ukrainian parliamentary election Kaskiv failed to win a seat in the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) in an alliance with his PORA and the Reforms and Order Party.

In the 2007 Ukrainian parliamentary election Kaskiv was elected as a People's Deputy of Ukraine from the proportional list of the Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc During his tenure, he was an adviser to Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on foreign investment. He resigned on 23 February 2012 after becoming head of the State Agency for Investment in Main National Projects of Ukraine, on appointment by President Viktor Yanukovych.

Kaskiv fled Ukraine following the 2014 Revolution of Dignity, and served as head of Ozario, an Austrian investment company.

In the 2020 Ukrainian local elections Kaskiv was elected member of the Zakarpattia Oblast Council for Opposition Platform — For Life (he was number six on its election list).

Embezzlement scandal
Kaskiv was involved in an embezzlement scandal, centred around his time as director of the Ukraine State Investment Agency between 2010 and 2014. In March 2016, Kaskiv was declared wanted. He was suspected of having embezzled ₴7.5. million ($279,000) from the state budget, working alongside others. He was arrested in Panama and extradited in order to stand trial in 2017, though Kaskiv claimed to have traveled voluntarily.

Recognition

 * Gold Medal from Slovak Government for international contribution to Democracy development (02.2005)
 * Award for achievement of the Hleytsman Foundation (12.2004, US)
 * The memorial sign "Outstanding member of the Orange Revolution."
 * "Person of the Year - 2005" in the category "Public Leader of the Year"