WASHINGTON, May 14 (UPI) —
Bursima Holdings, Ukraine’s largest private oil and gas producer, has appointed Hunter Biden, Vice President Joe Biden’s youngest son, to its board of directors.
Critics have raised questions about the ethical and political implications of such a connection in the midst of a political standoff with Russia over the Ukraine crisis. The vice president has emphasized the importance of decreasing Ukraine’s dependency on Russian gas.
Bursima is run by a former government official with ties to ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.
The compnay noted in a press release that Biden would join "Holdings’ legal unit and will provide support for the company among international organizations."
"Burisma’s track record of innovations and industry leadership in the field of natural gas means that it can be a strong driver of a strong economy in Ukraine," Hunter Biden said in a statement. "As a new member of the Board, I believe that my assistance in consulting the Company on matters of transparency, corporate governance and responsibility, international expansion and other priorities will contribute to the economy and benefit the people of Ukraine."
Joe Biden’s office has said that Hunter Biden’s employment has no bearing on administration policy.
"Hunter Biden is a private citizen and a lawyer," Kendra Barkoff, a representative for the vice president’s office, told the Wall Street Journal. "The vice president does not endorse any particular company and has no involvement with this company."
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