No previous agreements behind Nalyvaichenko's appointment SBU chief, says official

The appointment of Valentyn Nalyvaichenko as a head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) was not a result of any previous agreements or compromises by Nalyvaichenko, SBU First Deputy head Valeriy Khoroshkovsky has said.

"We are very pleased at this appointment... We haven't had a legitimate head of the agency for two-and-a-half years. This is bad for any structure. Today we have a legitimate head, a European politician with clear mind and clear position and understanding of the tasks facing the SBU," the service's deputy head told reporters in Kyiv on Friday.

At the same time, Khoroshkovsky said that he is perplexed by the way the decision was taken.

"Several minutes prior to the vote, the MPs submitted a query supported by the BYT demanding that Nalyvaichenko and Khoroshkovsky be dismissed, and the next instant Nalyvaichenko is appointed as the [SBU's] head," he said.

When asked if previous agreements be the reason this, Khoroshkovsky said: "I am absolutely sure Nalyvaichenko will not yield to any agreements suggesting he should change his position. He is a statesman and he is absolutely suited to his post."