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Zelensky aide complains about rampant corruption | Zelensky aide complains about rampant corruption |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Many Ukrainian officials believe it’s “cool” to take bribes, Mikhail Podoliak has said | Many Ukrainian officials believe it’s “cool” to take bribes, Mikhail Podoliak has said |
Many public officials in Ukraine continue to engage in corrupt practices despite the ongoing conflict with Russia, Mikhail Podoliak, a senior aide to President Vladimir Zelensky, said on Saturday, adding that bribes remain a socially acceptable norm. | |
Ukraine has been plagued by rampant corruption for decades, ranking 116th out of 180 on the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index in 2022. Several high-profile corruption scandals over the past year have also been a major source of concern for Kiev’s Western backers. | |
Asked if Ukrainian officials understand the gravity of the situation amid the conflict, Podoliak told ‘We – Ukraine’ TV: “If you’re living in a certain environment… where it is considered really cool to be able to take bribes and buy yourself [anything you want] when everyone else is in a… difficult situation or to just increase your wealth… everyone in your circle will consider [you to be] a ‘successful person,’” the presidential aide explained, arguing that this is the mentality of a “certain layer of the Ukrainian population.” | Asked if Ukrainian officials understand the gravity of the situation amid the conflict, Podoliak told ‘We – Ukraine’ TV: “If you’re living in a certain environment… where it is considered really cool to be able to take bribes and buy yourself [anything you want] when everyone else is in a… difficult situation or to just increase your wealth… everyone in your circle will consider [you to be] a ‘successful person,’” the presidential aide explained, arguing that this is the mentality of a “certain layer of the Ukrainian population.” |
Podoliak also said there are some who distance themselves from the conflict, accusing people who enjoy their lives and go out to night clubs of being “irresponsible.” | Podoliak also said there are some who distance themselves from the conflict, accusing people who enjoy their lives and go out to night clubs of being “irresponsible.” |
“For some people, the war does not exist,” he said, claiming they “do not care if Ukraine will be preserved or not.” He estimated that up to 15% of the Ukrainian population is prepared to become part of Russia. | |
Earlier this month, the Washington Post reported that Ukrainians are increasingly refusing to fight for what they consider to be a corrupt and incompetent government. According to the paper, Ukrainian men often attempt to avoid conscription through bribery, forgery, and fleeing the country. | Earlier this month, the Washington Post reported that Ukrainians are increasingly refusing to fight for what they consider to be a corrupt and incompetent government. According to the paper, Ukrainian men often attempt to avoid conscription through bribery, forgery, and fleeing the country. |
In August, Zelensky launched a sweeping military purge by firing all regional military officials responsible for the country’s conscription campaign. This came in the wake of a massive corruption scandal in which 112 criminal cases were opened against officials in recruitment centers over bribery. | In August, Zelensky launched a sweeping military purge by firing all regional military officials responsible for the country’s conscription campaign. This came in the wake of a massive corruption scandal in which 112 criminal cases were opened against officials in recruitment centers over bribery. |
In November, the Ukrainian government replaced the head of the state cyber security and data protection agency, after prosecutors implicated him in an embezzlement scheme. | In November, the Ukrainian government replaced the head of the state cyber security and data protection agency, after prosecutors implicated him in an embezzlement scheme. |
A poll conducted the same month showed that 63% of Ukrainians believe corruption is the country’s biggest problem apart from the war. | A poll conducted the same month showed that 63% of Ukrainians believe corruption is the country’s biggest problem apart from the war. |
The EU Commission, which greenlighted accession talks for Ukraine last month, also demanded that Kiev implement a series of anti-corruption reforms. | The EU Commission, which greenlighted accession talks for Ukraine last month, also demanded that Kiev implement a series of anti-corruption reforms. |