Forget political ambitions
Klitschko calls for more action against corruption
April 29, 2024, 1:23 a.m
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It was only in December that Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko made serious accusations against the Ukrainian president. Now he criticizes the inadequate fight against corruption in Ukraine. He is a little more understanding towards Zelensky.
Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko has accused the Ukrainian government of doing too little to combat rampant corruption in the country. When asked whether the government was on the right track in fighting corruption, he said in an interview with the newspapers of the Funke media group: “You can ask any citizen this question and I’m sure every citizen will say: ‘No’.” He himself has “exactly the same opinion”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly announced a rigorous fight against corruption and misappropriation of funds in the state apparatus. Proof of success in this fight is also a prerequisite for his country’s EU membership. Just a few days ago, Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyj submitted his resignation due to corruption allegations.
The Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Bureau accuses him of illegally appropriating state-owned land worth millions. With regard to his relationship with Zelensky, Klitschko complained about a lack of cohesion among leading politicians in Ukraine: “Unfortunately, in this time of war, there is no unity between the political forces,” said Klitschko.
Leave political ambitions aside
When asked whether he had met with Zelenskyj in the meantime to resolve the tensions between the two, Klitschko said he had tried to do so dozens of times since the beginning of the war because a lot depends on the capital. “But unfortunately I didn’t have the opportunity to meet Zelenskyj in person. He probably has other things to do.” It is important to forget political ambitions in the current situation. “To engage in political competition in such a situation is stupidity.” At the beginning of December, Klitschko accused Selenskyj of unusually clear mistakes.
Klitschko pointed to the damage caused by Russian drones and called for greater international support in air defense. “We have a deficit in air defense systems,” said Klitschko. Citizens in Odessa, Dnipro and Kharkiv also need good protection. After two years of war, the damage in Kiev is huge.
The air strikes damaged and destroyed more than 800 buildings, including almost 440 residential buildings. More than 200 people died in the air raids, including seven children. It was particularly cynical in the winter of 2022/2023 when the Russian army tried to destroy the city’s critical infrastructure. “This is genocide. It is terror to leave the largest city in Eastern Europe without water, electricity and heating.”