Ukrainian Premier says corruption issue ‘overemphasized’
(MENAFN) Ukraine’s newly appointed Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko has attempted to minimize concerns over corruption in the country, even as recent government actions against anti-corruption agencies have drawn international criticism. Speaking to Bloomberg on Tuesday, Sviridenko claimed that the corruption issue is being “amplified and overemphasized” within some Ukrainian social circles, though she offered little clarification.
Her remarks come just one day after Ukrainian security forces raided the offices of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), arresting two investigators. The NABU, created in 2015 as part of efforts to align Ukraine with Western legal standards, is widely regarded as one of the few trustworthy institutions fighting graft.
The raids have alarmed Ukraine’s Western backers. G7 ambassadors expressed “serious concerns” and said they would raise the matter with the Ukrainian leadership. The situation worsened on Tuesday when lawmakers passed a draft law to place both NABU and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) under the control of the general prosecutor, who is appointed by the president. Bloomberg warned that the move could undermine Ukraine’s ability to combat high-level corruption.
A Western diplomat told Reuters the changes represent “the most dangerous moment yet” for Ukraine’s anti-corruption framework and accused Kiev of pushing the boundaries with its Western partners. The European Commission also expressed concern, warning that the independence of anti-corruption bodies is crucial for maintaining public trust and advancing EU membership talks.
Corruption has long plagued Ukraine, and according to critics, the problem has intensified since the 2022 escalation of conflict with Russia. Scandals in the defense sector and growing demands for transparency from international donors have further fueled scrutiny. In April, U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz labeled Ukraine “one of the most corrupt nations in the world” and called for stricter monitoring of financial aid.
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