Corruption in Ukraine: credibility at risk?
At least two Ukrainian ministries are under investigation for corruption. The Ministry of Defence faces accusations of having purchased food for troops at inflated prices, with Deputy Defence Minister Vyacheslav Shapovalov having resigned over the scandal. And the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, Vasyl Lozynsky, has been dismissed for allegedly taking bribes and is now in custody.
A good sign rather than a bad one
For the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the scandals that are now becoming public are not an argument against Western aid:
“On the contrary: the fact that Ukrainian media are investigating abuses of power even under the current circumstances and that President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked them for it is a positive sign. In this respect, too, Ukraine differs fundamentally from Russia: there, the regime is using the war it started as a justification for abolishing the last vestiges of transparency regarding the incomes of politicians and officials. Those who wish Ukraine well should not idealise it. A sober, realistic view of the country and its enemy shows all the more why the West should do much more for Ukraine.”
Kyiv must also win its internal battles
Ukraine is at least moving in the right direction, The Spectator insists:
“Ukraine has spent years fighting its reputation as a corrupt country. There is still a long way to go. Russia's full-scale invasion last year shifted public attention away from politics but in recent months Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies have become noticeably more active. In part, this is also a consequence of criticism and advice from Ukraine's Western partners to go further, but also indicates a clear shift in attitude from the government. The only way for Kyiv to win the war with Russia is to win internal battles too.”
Support was at stake
Zelensky had no choice but to take quick and decisive action, La Stampa explains:
“The wave of dismissals came just as Western countries were discussing - and hesitating - over sending new weapons to Ukraine. And that is no coincidence. As Kyiv prepares for a new and terrible offensive by Moscow and needs these weapons more urgently than ever, Zelensky wants to play it safe, maximise support and assure allies - who are already sending billions of dollars in military and financial aid - that his government will not tolerate corruption.”