Mykola Azarov (Микола Янович Азаров, in Ukrainian, Mykola Yanovych Azarov; original last name: Pakhlo) is a Ukrainian politician who served as acting prime minister of that country for two short periods in late 2004 and early 2005.

Mr. Azarov was born in Kaluga, Russia (on December 17, 1947), and graduated from the Moscow State University. He earned his doctorate in geology and mineralogy. Dr. Azarov moved to Ukraine for permanent residence in 1984.

Mykola Azarov served as the head of the budgetary committee of the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) in 1995 - 1997. He also was a long-term (1996 - 2002) head of the state tax administration. Along with the deceased minister Kyrpa, Mr. Azarov managed to maintain very close ties with Kuchma throughout the two presidential terms of the latter.

A technocrat rather than a politician, Dr. Azarov was appointed first deputy prime minister and finance minister in late November 2002, when the Cabinet of Viktor Yanukovych took office.

Mr. Azarov first served as acting prime minister from December 7, 2004, to December 28, 2004, after Yanukovych was put on vacation leave by President Kuchma in the midst of the presidential elections crisis. After the runoff, Yanukovych attempted to resume his duties as prime minister, but effectively unable to do so, announced his resignation on December 31, 2004. The Cabinet was officially dismissed on January 5, 2005, and Azarov was named acting prime minister again. He served in that position until shortly after the inauguration of Viktor Yushchenko. He was replaced on January 24, 2005, by Yuliya Tymoshenko.

See also

• Prime Minister of Ukraine