Ukraine's Leader Rejects Premier's Resignation Over Leaked Audio

MOSCOW—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the resignation of the country’s prime minister following the release of an audio recording in which he appeared to make disparaging comments about Mr. Zelensky’s understanding of economics.

Oleksiy Honcharuk, who has been in office since August, tendered his resignation early Friday but Mr. Zelensky later said that he would give Mr. Honcharuk a second chance, tasking him with overhauling the economy.

A political novice and former economic adviser to Mr. Zelensky, Mr. Honcharuk has focused on accelerating economic reforms in Ukraine, one of Europe’s poorest countries. In December, his government gained a tentative approval from the International Monetary Fund for $5.5 billion in loans.

In the recording, which surfaced earlier this week, Mr. Honcharuk is heard discussing the economic situation in the country with cabinet ministers and other officials, according to Ukrainian media. Mr. Honcharuk appears to say that Mr. Zelensky “has a very primitive understanding of economic processes.”

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