Born on July 9, 1950 in the city of Yenakiyevo, Donetsk Region.
Education:
Yenakiyevo Mining College (1973), Donetsk Polytechnic Institute (1980), majoring in engineering and mechanics; the Ukrainian Foreign Trade Academy, majoring in international law; defended a doctoral dissertation on "Managing the Development of the Infrastructure of a Large Industrial Region" (Economic and Legal Studies Institute , NANU).
Experience:
Worked as director of the automobile pool for VO Ordzhonikidzugol, director of the vehicle pool, deputy director-general and director-general of VO Donbasstransremont, director-general of the industrial transport association in the coal industry Ukrugolpromtrans, director-general of the territorial-production automobile transport association Donetsk Avtotrans.
Between September 1996 and May 1997. First Deputy Chairman of the Donetsk Region Administration.
May 1999-May 2001, Chairman of the Donetsk Regional Council.
May 2001-November 2002, Chairman of the Donetsk Regional Administration.
From November 2002 to January 2005 was the Prime Minister of Ukraine.
Since January 2005 led the Party of Regions.
August 4, 2006, was again appointed the Prime Minister of Ukraine.
From December 2007, after an early parliamentary election, led the opposition Party of Regions at the Supreme Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine.
2010: was elected President of Ukraine in the presidential election. Was inaugurated as President on February 25, 2010.
Other:
Holds the degree of Doctor of Economics, is a member of the Ukrainian Academy of Economic Sciences and a member of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Awards and Recognitions:
Holds the Merit Orders of three categories, and other state decorations of Ukraine, and the title of Merited Transport Worker of Ukraine.
Personal:
Married, with two sons.