"These reports had been circulated earlier than we got to the U.S. Department of State for a meeting, therefore it looks like an act of provocation," Sytnyk said.
In his words, the meeting covered status of the creation of new anti-corruption agencies in Ukraine – the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.
The Prosecutor General is indirectly involved in the anti-corruption agencies' work, Sytnyk said. "The ultimate authority in cases investigated by NABU detectives belongs to the anti-corruption prosecutor who enjoys absolute independence," he added.
Answering the question whether Shokin's name was mentioned at the meeting at the U.S. Department of State, Sytnyk answered: "No information was given at the meeting the way the new reports had it."
Ukrainian media reported earlier that the U.S. Department of State was mulling the possible dismissal of Ukrainian Prosecutor General Shokin as one of the most important facts proving the effective fight against corruption in Ukraine.
In particular, the U.S. officials made it clear to the authorities of Ukraine that providing U.S. loan guarantees to the tune of $1 billion is dependent on the dismissal of Shokin.
