© Collage, ZN.UA A drive for reforms can transform a reputation crisis into a chance to showcase a dedication to genuinely eradicating corruption, but this demands resolute actions.
Ukraine is moving swiftly to mitigate the fallout from a prominent corruption affair that surfaced this week. High-ranking Ukrainian officials are working hard to reassure Kyiv’s Western allies following revelations about a $100 million corruption scheme in the energy sector implicating some of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s close confidants sparked unease among partners , reports Politico .
The corruption controversy has shaken Kyiv at a critical moment, as Ukraine is pressing its EU collaborators to take a significant gamble and approve a €140 billion reparations loan sourced from seized Russian assets.
Ukraine requires economic support to weather what is predicted to be its toughest winter since Russia's full-scale incursion began, and allies who remain committed to backing Kyiv are also insisting on answers concerning corruption.
“We must proceed promptly and decisively on the battlefield and conduct ourselves in the same manner in vital areas of public administration. The government’s objective is to demonstrate to Ukrainian society and partners that we will not condone corruption under any circumstances and will react quickly to any instances,” Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stated in an interview with Politico, adding that Kyiv treasures “robust relations” with foreign partners.
“There is no room for impunity, irrespective of whether you are a close associate of someone or not,” Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Olga Stefanishyna declared on NBC News on Thursday, November 13.
Restoring trust
Kyiv has unveiled a sequence of measures intended to comfort allies, including notable resignations, penalties against Zelensky’s former business associate, a comprehensive audit and reorganization of state-owned energy firms, and an effort to illustrate that Ukraine is capable of efficiently managing its affairs.
One senior Ukrainian official, who conversed with Politico on condition of anonymity, mentioned that Ukrainian authorities aspire to showcase the urgency of combating corruption schemes, as such schemes undermine the stability of a nation that confronts continuous attacks from Russia.
Simultaneously, Ukrainian oversight bodies assert that further actions are essential to completely regain confidence.
A renewed substantial impetus for reforms could transform a reputational setback into a chance to demonstrate that Ukraine genuinely wishes to eliminate corruption for good, says Mykhailo Zhernakov, executive director of the DEJURE Foundation.
“I genuinely believe that the Ukrainian government possesses all the power to illustrate to partners: yes, we have faltered, but instead of offering superficial solutions, we are initiating systemic changes,” Zhernakov observed.
The sole opportunity to reset for Zelensky is to enlist professionals who should assume positions in the government. And transfer to them the portion of power stipulated in the Constitution. Reinstate the parliament’s agency. Commence overhauling the law enforcement framework through equitable competitions. Relinquish control of the intelligence agencies . ZN.UA has been reporting about this for three years.
Concerning what the president should undertake and what the country should do following the corruption affair – in the article “ Operation Midas”. The road of absolute power is as long as a dollar “ by Inna Vedernikova .
