Kyiv President Zelensky fires officials, bans travel amid corruption scandal, EU membership in future at stake.
In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has taken drastic action to combat corruption in his government by firing a number of senior officials. This follows the arrest of Vasyl Lozynskyy, the acting minister for regional development, who is accused of receiving $400,000 in “unlawful benefits” for facilitating contracts. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine is also investigating allegations that the defense ministry is buying military supplies at inflated prices.
Zelensky’s deputy chief of staff Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy defense minister Viacheslav Shapovalov, deputy prosecutor general Oleksii Symonenko, deputy ministers of regional development Ivan Lukerya and Viacheslav Nehoda, and the deputy minister of social policy Vitalii Muzychenko have all resigned or been asked to resign. Tymoshenko denied allegations that he was using a vehicle meant for humanitarian purposes and evacuations for business trips. Shapovalov said he was resigning to ensure the “stable work” of the defense ministry and to enable “transparent, unbiased inspections”.
According to Transparency International, Ukraine is the second most corrupt country in Europe and ranks 122nd of 180 countries globally. Zelensky’s promise to tackle corruption was a key factor in his election in 2019. However, Transparency International said in 2021 that Ukraine’s fight against corruption has stalled and is stuck in “deadlock”.
Tackling corruption is essential for Ukraine’s ambition to join the European Union. The European Commission has welcomed the fact that the Ukrainian authorities are taking these issues seriously. However, it has made it clear that Kyiv must step up its fight against corruption if it wants to become a full member.
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent shakeup of senior Ukrainian officials is a step towards combating corruption in the country. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine is investigating allegations of corruption in the defense ministry and the procurement of war-time supplies. A number of senior officials, including the deputy chief of staff, deputy defense minister, and deputy ministers of regional development and social policy, have resigned or been asked to resign. Transparency International has said that Ukraine’s fight against corruption has stalled and is stuck in “deadlock”, and that Kyiv must step up its efforts if it wants to become a full member of the European Union. Zelensky’s commitment to justice and transparency is a positive sign for the future of Ukraine.
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