Corruption shakes the Zelensky government, what is happening in Ukraine
The Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Infrastructures has been arrested, the Defense Minister, Oleksii Reznikov, is now being investigated for the purchase of military rations at exaggerated prices and President Volodymir Zelensky's fight against corruption becomes fundamental for the future of Ukraine. All the details
After the arrest of the Deputy Minister of Infrastructures , Vasyl Lozynski, attention in Ukraine has now shifted to another ministry and its holder, Oleksii Reznikov, Defense Minister, who is also being investigated for corruption. A plague that President Volodymir Zelensky intends to eradicate from the country and for which he promised to announce "appropriate decisions" this week.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau said it was investigating both issues.
WHAT IS OLEKSII REZNIKOV ACCUSED OF
Both investigations are related to war profit. In fact, Lozynski was allegedly caught red-handed while receiving a $400,000 bribe to facilitate the purchase of electric generators at inflated prices. Reznikov, on the other hand, would have to answer for the purchase of military rations at prices " two or three times higher " than the current prices for basic food products.
“Although Reznikov did not personally sign the 326 million euro contract to supply defense food, journalists and regulators said he was ultimately responsible and that he publicly declared his zero tolerance for corruption” says Politico .
REZNIKOV'S DEFENSE
The ministry called the allegations "false" and asked a parliamentary commission to investigate. If violations are found in the activities of officials, he added, "they will be held liable in accordance with applicable law."
Reznikov also spoke of a "smear campaign, aimed at undermining trust in the Defense Ministry and its reputation with international partners".
KIEV IS ATTENDING THE FUTURE WITH ITS REPUTATION
For Kiev, its reputation in the eyes of the world is crucial both to continue receiving the means necessary to win the war against Russia and to join the European Union, which cannot turn a blind eye to a ranking such as that of Transparency International, which in 2021 assigned Ukraine 122nd place in its ranking out of 180 countries. A slightly better result than Russia. And in 2015, the Guardian called Ukraine "the most corrupt nation in Europe".
“Now Ukraine has a unique opportunity to show that we are not like Russia, where money is laundered on everything. If someone wants to steal millions of euros from us during the war, when our economy is 60% dependent on EU aid, we have to stop him,” Yurii Nikolov , investigative journalist and founder of investigative site Nashi Groshi ( I our money).
As Al Jazeera notes, Ukraine's economy shrank by a third last year and the country is heavily dependent on Western financial aid, but donors, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the EU, have repeatedly called for more transparency and better governance.
FROM WORDS TO ACTIONS TO ELIMINATE CORRUPTION
“Since February 24, officials at all levels have been constantly warned through official and unofficial channels: focus on the war, help the victims, cut red tape and stop doing dubious business. Many of them actually listened, but others, sadly, didn't. If it doesn't work in a civilian way, it will be done according to wartime laws. This applies both to the recent purchases of generators and to the new scandals in the defense ministry,” said David Arakhamia, head of the Servant of the People party, in a statement on Telegram.
ZELENSKY'S PROMISE
“This week will be the time for appropriate decisions. I don't want to announce them now, but everything will be fine. In each situation we will analyze everything in detail. Issues related to energy and procurement. Relations between the central government and the regions. Everything related to military procurement,” Zelensky promised in a video message.
"Although it is natural to be cynical about the possibility of ending kleptocracy in Ukraine – writes The Hill -, the opportunity to do so could be better now than before the Russian invasion – indeed, better than ever".
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/mondo/ucraina-corruzione-governo-zelensky-oleksii-reznikov/ on Tue, 24 Jan 2023 09:40:12 +0000.