WHEN A FORMER PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA BECOMES GOVERNOR OF UKRAINE'S ODESSA REGION

In a move that caught both political analysts and Euromaidan activists off guard, Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko recently appointed former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili Governor of the Odessa region.

Saakashvili who served as Georgia's President from 2004 to 2013 is a polarizing figure. He is under criminal indictment in Georgia, accused of abusing his power using excessive force against demonstrators to quell protests in 2007. He also led Georgia into a devastating war with Russia in 2008, and has been outspoken in his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Odessa is no ordinary region and many in Odessa still identify with Russian culture and do not see Russia as their enemy. Poroshenko's motives seem to be guided by a number of factors. First, Ukraine believes it is at war with Russia and Putin has made clear over the years his distaste for Saakasvilki. Appointing the former Georgian President as Governor of a high-profile region allows Poroshenko to tweak the Russian bear's nose. Second, Sakaashvili's appointment means Poroshenko now has an ally in Odessa. The previous Governor, Ihor Palytsia was an ally of Ukraine's leading oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky. Kolomoisky is a controversial figure within Ukraine and is unlikely to disappear from the scene. Odessa is still a key playing field for him due to his ownership of Ukraine's largest oil refinery in the region. Third, Poroshenko undoubtedly admires the changes Saakashvili implemented early in his tenure as Georgia's President. Sakaashvili implemented a heavy dose of market reforms, focusing on a sweeping deregulatory programme that kick-started Georgia's economy. Georgia is now 15th on the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index, well ahead of Ukraine, which is way down at 96th. With Ukrainians hungry for results and the government's pupularity failing, Poroshenko is counting on Sakaasvili duplicating his Georgian success in Odessa (?).

There have also been numerous reports that if Saakashvili can demonstrate some quick successes in Odessa (?) Poroshenko could even elevate him to Prime Minister. Poroshenko and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk cooperate tactically, but are not exactly the best of friends. After Yatsenyuk's government was recently accused of corruption, a deputy representing Poroshenko's party in the Rada initiated a petition and rally demanding Yatsenyuk be removed from his post. If Saakashvili supercharges reforms while also providing an excuse to dump Yatsenyuk, Poroshenko could achieve the political equivalent of a double bank shot in billiard.

Saakashvili's appointment may also be tied to the developing and potentially explosive geopolitical status of Moldova's self-proclaimed Republic of Transdnestr, directly to the west of Odessa. Saakashvili comes in handy because of his experience with a similar situation in South Ossettia and his effecttive manipulation of the international media before and during the Georgian attack. Poroshenko wants economic and political success stories, and if Saakashvili succeeds in Odessa, this might be good for Poroshenko.