Ukraine’s Poroshenko says Saakashvilli could join opposition

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia – Ukraine’s president has suggested former Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili is stepping down as governor of Odesa region to boost his own political career.

Petro Poroshenko said in Slovenia Tuesday the government could formally confirm Saakashvili’s resignation on Wednesday.

“I hope tomorrow the government will remove him from the position of the regional administration and give him an opportunity to provide political activity,” he said.

Saakashvili said Monday he is resigning in frustration at what he characterized as obstruction in efforts to root out corruption.

Poroshenko appointed Saakashvili as governor of the corruption-riddled Black Sea region in May 2015. But in his resignation announcement, Saakashvili accused Poroshenko of supporting the criminal clans in Odesa.

Saakashvili said in a video posted on his Facebook page that he felt “cheated and tired.”