En Ukraine, corruption makes less noise than Russian missiles, but that does not prevent it from being potentially destructive. The recent resignations of politicians and civil servants following an embezzlement scandal at the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense are a reminder that corruption is a threat to be taken very seriously in times of war. It can undermine the confidence of allies and awaken divisions in the country. “Trust is arguably the most valuable asset Ukraine has, says Vitaliy Shabunin, founder of the Ukrainian NGO Anti-Corruption Action Center. Without it, there would probably be no financial or military aid. »
Trust is also a cement of the unity of the country, essential for mobilization. “If you want to weaken the army, the political class, the judiciary or the police, all you have to do is corrupt them, continues Vitaliy Shabunin, Russia has always used it as a weapon to divide and challenge the legitimacy of the Ukrainian state. » It is no coincidence that, just days before the invasion of Ukraine, in a speech given on February 21, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted on the corruption that has “literally permeated and corroded the Ukrainian state, the whole system and all branches of power”before pointing the finger at the “weak authorities, infected with the virus of nationalism and corruption”. As if a strong power, like that of Vladimir Putin, were a remedy for corruption, which is not lacking in salt when you think of the billions that are embezzled in the Russian system.
From then on, we understand better why the response of the Ukrainian president was so quick and strong. A total of five regional governors, four deputy ministers and two heads of a government agency left their posts, in addition to the deputy head of the presidential administration and the deputy attorney general. A news rare enough to be welcomed. “We have at least one government that is fighting corruption when it has been a subject of concern for a long time”notes Viktor Nestulia, head of the Open Government Partnership organization, which also works for the government.
Post-war risk
It was after the Maidan revolution in 2014 that the fight against corruption became a major political demand. In a few years, the digital platform Prozorro was created, which allows for more transparent management of public contracts, then an anti-corruption office was set up. Efforts that have borne fruit, as evidenced by the improvement in theTransparency International Index for Ukraine (from 26 in 2012 to 32 in 2021 on a scale of 100), although there is still a lot to do. Ukraine remains the 122e most corrupt country in the world (out of 180).
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