Ukraine’s Western backers are willing to accept that it will take time to clear up corruption in the country, Finance Minister Sergey Marchenko told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) on Wednesday. He claimed that corruption in Ukraine is at its lowest level in two decades and has fallen “completely under public monitoring.”
Asked by the state-funded US outlet how he had reached conclusion, Marchenko insisted that it came from “experience,” a “gut feeling,” and a “certain understanding of numbers.”
He admitted, however, that corruption still exists in Ukraine and that scandals continue to lead to pressure from international organizations. The minister added that while anti-corruption agencies and public organizations are delivering results, they often come after lengthy processes.
Nevertheless, Kiev’s Western partners “understand” that cleaning up the system of power in Ukraine cannot happen overnight, Marchenko insisted.
“[Ukraine’s partners] are ready to accept that we may have corruption,” said the minister, noting that corruption has taken on new forms due to the conflict with Russia.
Commenting on numerous reports about wrongdoing in the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Marchenko acknowledged that “there are questions for all sectors, including the defense sector, unfortunately.”
Last week, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky publicly denounced the corruption and “numerous abuses” that had been uncovered by an audit of military recruitment centers. Investigators found that some facilities were charging an average of $6,000 to certify that potential recruits were unfit to serve.
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