A growing corruption scandal in Ukraine has led to several resignations from President Volodymyr Zelensky’s cabinet. Mint breaks the growing scandal that threatens to tarnish the government’s reputation even as the war continues.
Within days, prominent Ukrainian officials resigned from their posts after facing numerous allegations of corruption in the Ukrainian media. Some, including Regional Development Minister Vasyl Lozinski, were arrested on corruption charges after being accused by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau.
The scandal in Ukraine has so far claimed five deputy ministers at the central level, several regional governors and even President Zelensky’s deputy chief of staff.
The charges against him vary. While Zelensky’s deputy chief was accused of driving expensive sports cars, the deputy minister of defense resigned following allegations that supplies for the country’s armed forces were purchased several times above market value.
While the Zelensky administration has become tougher against those accused of corruption, it shows that Ukraine’s struggle against corruption continues even as the country is waging war against Russia. The general chaos of organizing the war effort, as well as the influx of aid, weapons, and other financial largesse from the West, could create ideal conditions for graft and corruption.
A report by Transparency International, an anti-corruption watchdog, ranked Ukraine 122nd out of 180 countries in its corruption ranking.
The country’s struggle against corruption can be traced back to its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Like many former Soviet republics, Ukraine’s failed attempts to privatize state-owned enterprises led to the creation of a corrupt oligarchy.
Over the years, the problem has remained a persistent annoyance in the country’s politics, with the problem rife in many government institutions. Corruption is such a deep-rooted problem that the European Union has agreed to consider allowing Ukraine into the EU, putting forward a set of key demands on corruption reform.
Ukraine’s corruption problem is particularly significant because it risks attracting the ire of Ukraine’s Western supporters. The US has poured over $100 billion into the country in the form of military and humanitarian aid. Europe has similarly given about 51 billion euros to Kyiv.
Reconstruction of Ukraine will also require considerable resources from Europe and America. With large amounts committed, Western countries want firm assurances that their taxpayer dollars will not be diverted or wasted due to corruption. Ukraine’s internal fight against corruption will prove to be just as important as its ongoing military conflict with Russia.
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