Zelensky holds consultations on new NBU governor's candidacy / Photo from president.gov.ua

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday held consultations with the leadership of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) and financial market participants on the candidacy of the new NBU governor.

In particular, the president met with the NBU deputy governors, the heads of state-owned and private banks, as well as heads of banking organizations and institutions, according to the president's press service.

The meetings were attended by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak, his Deputy Yulia Kovaliv, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko, and Head of the Verkhovna Rada's Financial, Tax and Customs Policy Committee Danylo Getmantsev.

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Zelensky reiterated commitments to the principle of the central bank's independence and the need to preserve its institutional capacity.

"An independent National Bank is a guarantee of macroeconomic stability of the state and the welfare of Ukrainians. Therefore, as president, I will protect the independence of the NBU under any leadership as a basis for the financial and macroeconomic stability of our state," the president said.

As UNIAN reported earlier, Smolii signed a letter of resignation on Wednesday, July 1, 2020.

The move is a result of what he claims is long-standing political pressure.

On July 2, draft resolution No. 3772, which was prepared by the Office of the President of Ukraine to formalize Smolii's resignation, was registered in parliament.