Vitaliy Andriiovych Masol was confirmed as Prime Minister of Ukraine

Prime Minister of Ukraine

The Prime Minister of Ukraine is Ukraine's head of government presiding over the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, which is the highest body of the executive branch of the Ukrainian government....

 on June 16, 1994.

President Kravchuk's appointment of an advocate of state-controlled economy as prime minister was seen as a pre-election concession to the communist-dominated parliament. Force into resignation 1990 by the Ukrainian student movement Masol was once again reinstated by Kuchma. Masol resigned on March 1, 1995 continuing to attend meetings of the Verkhovna Rada

Verkhovna Rada

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is Ukraine's parliament. The Verkhovna Rada is a unicameral parliament composed of 450 deputies, which is presided over by a chairman...

.

Awards

During his public service Vitaliy Masol received numerous civil and state awards and recognitions, including the Order of Lenin

Order of Lenin

The Order of Lenin , named after the leader of the Russian October Revolution, was the highest decoration bestowed by the Soviet Union...

 (in 1966 and 1986), the Order of the October Revolution

Order of the October Revolution

The Order of the October Revolution was instituted on October 31, 1967, in time for the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution. It was awarded to individuals or groups for services furthering communism or the state, or in enhancing the defenses of the Soviet Union, military and civil...

 (in 1971), the Order of the Red Banner of Labour

Order of the Red Banner of Labour

The Order of the Red Banner of Labour was an order of the Soviet Union for accomplishments in labour and civil service. It is the labour counterpart of the military Order of the Red Banner. A few institutions and factories, being the pride of Soviet Union, also received the order.-History:The Red...

 (1978), the Order of the Badge of Honour (in 1960), the Order of Merit

Order of Merit (Ukraine)

The Order of Merit first, second or third class, is the Ukrainian award, given to individuals for outstanding achievements in economics, science, culture, military or political spheres of activity...

, 3rd class (in 1997) and 1st Class (in 2008), the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise

Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise

The Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise is an award of Ukraine. It is awarded for distinguished services to the state and people of the Ukrainian nation. The Order was instituted on August 23, 1995 by the Ukrainian President, Leonid Kuchma....

, 5th Class (in 1998) and 4th Class (in 2003).